Kansas State 79, Iowa State 75

FINAL

The Cyclones made a late run, but it was too little, too late. Craig Brackins ended the game with 29 points, but was outdone by Denis Clemente’s 30 point total, going 6-for-8 from 3-point range. Iowa State out-rebounded the Wildcats, but turned the ball over 12 times.

Kansas State 71, Iowa State 61

2:33 Second half

That should be close to icing it. Clemente hit another 3-pointer to put the lead back into double digits. Iowa State’s bench is filled with deflated looks, as they have watched another halftime lead slip away.

Kansas State 65, Iowa State 56

4:51, Second Half

Just when the Cyclones look like they were about to cut the lead to two, Kansas State scored two key baskets, including cashing in on a two-and-one.

Kansas State 60, Iowa State 54

6:15, Second Half

Brackins sank a lay-in while getting fouled and drained the free throw, bringing out whatever enthusiasm the crowd has left. Iowa State continues to miss several key rebounds that would have swung the momentum to the Cyclones.

Kansas State 60, Iowa State 51

7:46, Second Half

The Wildcats are in the bonus already and Iowa State is cashing in on the charity strike having drained 10 points from the line. Every time the Cyclones seem to be gaining momentum, Kansas State snatches it away with a key basket.

Kansas State 55, Iowa State 46

10:21 , Second Half

Craig Brackins scored his first basket since 7:26 in the first half. His struggles mirror his team’s, which has scored only 11 points this half. Kansas State continues to look strong, using Clemente and Pullen’s combined 31 points to maintain the lead.

Kansas State 48, Iowa State 39

14:43, Second Half

The flood gates have opened slightly and the Wildcats have pushed out to a nine point lead. Iowa State has not hit a basket since the 18:48 mark. The Cyclones look deprived of any momentum they had in the first half.

Kansas State 43, Iowa State 39

15:50, Second Half

With back to back three pointers, the Wildcats have regained the lead. Iowa State has gone cold from the floor, while the Wildcats have scored eight straight.

Iowa State 39, Kansas State 35

17:58, Second half

The Cyclones remain in the lead, but they have already gotten themselves into foul trouble. Hamilton and Gilstrap both have three fouls and the team is at three on the half.

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Iowa State 35, Kansas State 31

HALFTIME

Believe it or not but Iowa State has taken a four point lead into the locker room against the No. 10 team in the nation. The Cyclones have survived a pair of scary moments when Craig Brackins and Marquis Gilstrap went down hard to the ground, but both stars have returned.

Brackins is Iowa State’s leading scorer with 14. Clemente is leading the Wildcats with 13.

Flash back to the Texas game earlier this season, when the Cyclones were holding their own against the Longhorns in the first half, only to see Texas go on an early second half run that ultimately iced the game. Iowa State will need for that to not happen if it wants to remain in this game.

Iowa State 32, Kansas State 28

54.7 seconds, First Half

Coach Greg McDermott was jumping up and down trying to pump up the crowd as the Cyclones have taken a four point lead from the Wildcats. Brackins went down grimacing in pain after getting his left ankle tangled in a scramble for a rebound. He left the game only to return minutes later.

Kansas State 25, Iowa State 25

3:46, First Half

Iowa State has finally pulled even with the Wildcats, thanks to Chris Colvin’s rebound work and game-tying basket. Brackins has been on the bench for the last several minutes, but the Cyclones have maintained the same amount of energy.

Kansas State 21, Iowa State 19

6:41, First Half

Craig Brackins let out a tribal scream after he slammed home an alley-opp pass from Diante Garrett, helping cut Kansas State’s lead to three. The crowd, which was relatively calm for most of the first half, have been rocked back to life by the dunk. Brackins has turned out 14 points this afternoon, while no other Cyclone has more than two points. Pullen leads the Wildcats with seven.

Kansas State 19, Iowa State 15

8:51, First Half

Both teams have missed opportunities from the field (the Cyclones are shooting 31.8 percent, the Wildcats are at 38.9) but Kansas State has started to open a bit of a lead on the Cyclones. Iowa State has yet to make a three (0-for-5), while the Wildcats have cashed in on two.

Kansas State 15, Iowa State 14

11:50, First Half

Iowa State is holding its own and has managed to keep themselves in a back and forth battle with Kansas State. Craig Brackins continues to fuel the Cyclones early on, having drained 10 points so far. Curtis Kelly and Denis Clemente each have five points for the Wildcats

Iowa State 4, Kansas State 3

17:50, First Half

Craig Brackins, who has struggled in weeks past adjusting to double team pressure, put the Cyclones on the board on the first drive down the court. Scott Christopherson followed with another shot from the field. Kansas State answered, however, with a three.

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The Iowa State men, clad in pink jerseys and shoes in honor of breast cancer awareness, is only minutes away from a showdown with conference foe No. 10 Kansas State. The anticipation is starting to build in the student section, which is decked out in pink shirts as well.

Iowa State’s gauntlet conference schedule continues today as the team preps for the Wildcats. Kansas State has emerge this season as a power in the Big 12. At 18-4 on the year, the Wildcats are behind only Kansas and Texas in the conference standings. Kansas State is led by the dynamic guard duo of Jacob Pullen and Denis Clemente. Pullen is averaging 19 points per game, while Clemente has posted a 15 point average.

The Cyclones, who have battled setbacks all season, are trying to preserve their season. With a record of 13-9 and 2-5 in the Big 12, Iowa State must close this season on a serious win streak if the team wants to hold on to any hopes of post season play.