Hot-shooting first half not enough for Cyclones in Lawrence

Feb 17, 2020; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks center Udoka Azubuike (35) dunks the ball during the first half as Iowa State Cyclones guard Rasir Bolton (45) looks on at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

It was pretty clear the Cyclones could be in trouble at halftime on Monday night in Lawrence after they had connected on nine 3-pointers in the first half but still trailed the No. 3 Kansas Jayhawks by 10 points.

That cause for concern came to fruition in the second half as the Jayhawks’ defense, rated as the best in college basketball by KenPom.com, held Iowa State to 31 points after halftime powering Bill Self’s squad to a 91-71 win, setting the stage for what figures to be an epic showdown with No. 1 Baylor, who puts its undefeated Big 12 record on the line against Oklahoma Tuesday night, on Saturday afternoon in Waco.

The Cyclones were led on the night by senior guard Prentiss Nixon as he finished with 20 points on 8-of-17 from the field and 4-of-8 from 3-point range. He was joined in double-figures by fellow senior Michael Jacobson, who scored 13 points, 11 of them before halftime, on 5-of-10 shooting from the floor and 2-of-3 from deep, and Rasir Bolton, 12 points on 4-of-11 shooting.

National player of the year candidate, and surefire first-team All-American, Devon Dotson was the driving force for Kansas’ offense as he poured in 29 points, including a career-high six 3-pointers. The Jayhawks finished the game shooting 57 percent from the field and 44 percent from 3-point range with 12 makes.

Iowa State made 11 3-pointers on 48 percent and shot 43 percent from the field. The Cyclones will be back in action on Saturday when TCU visits Hilton Coliseum.