Iowa State beats TCU, moves into tie for second-place in Big 12

AMES, Ia. — Second place.

That’s what a three-game Big 12 winning streak gets you. "You," in this case, being an Iowa State basketball team that beat TCU, 84-71, Saturday night at Hilton Coliseum.

With four regular-season games remaining, the Cyclones (9-5, 17-9 Big 12) share the rung just below Kansas with West Virginia and Baylor.

The three tied teams play each other between now and the Big 12 Conference tournament in Kansas City, Mo., so there’s plenty of interest while the Jayhawks march toward their 13th regular-season title in a row.

Naz Mitrou-Long was Saturday’s scoring star, with 25 points. He was especially productive from 3-point range, where the senior made 7 of his 12 shots.

Monte Morris had his usual efficient game; the Cyclones’ point guard racked up 18 points and 11 assists in 37 minutes.

Iowa State finishes this tough three-game, six-day grind with an 8 p.m. game Monday at Texas Tech. The Cyclones host Baylor on Feb. 25, and finish this part of their season March 3 at West Virginia.

Iowa State, which now has a three-game conference win streak for the first time this season, closed the first half with a 19-6 run of points. That resulted in a 39-29 lead during a first half that was part ugly and part Rembrandt.

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TCU turned the ball over on its first five possessions, yet led 23-20 before the Cyclones’ big closing finish.

Iowa State made half of its first 12 3-point shots, with Mitrou-Long accounting for 5 on his way to 15 first-half points.

Vlad Brodziansky, TCU’s 7-footer in the middle, burned the Cyclones for 25 points and 14 rebounds during the Horned Frogs’ victory in Fort Worth, Texas.

Saturday, he had one basket while playing just 7 first-half minutes. He finished with 11 points and seven rebounds for the game, thanks in part to Iowa State’s post trio of Solomon Young, Deonte Burton and Darrell Bowie.