T.J. Otzelberger talks new Iowa State basketball scoring records
T.J. Otzelberger talks new Iowa State basketball scoring records
AMES — At one point during the second half of Iowa State basketball’s win over Alcorn State on Dec. 3, Nate Heise knocked down a 3-pointer and the PA announcer was halfway through saying Milan Momcilovic’s name before offering a quick correction.
With the way things were going on Wednesday night, could you blame him?
Not only did Momcilovic start by going 8-for-8 from beyond the arc, but it also felt like the rest of the Cyclones couldn’t miss.
No. 9 Iowa State bulldozed visiting Alcorn State, 132-68, setting team scoring and 3-point records along the way.
Coach T.J. Otzelberger called a timeout, not even two minutes into the game, to settle his team down after a sloppy start that led to an Alcorn State 7-0 run, fueled by uncharacteristic turnovers. His players got the message and quickly put things out of reach with a 29-4 run.
The Cyclones (8-0) held a commanding 65-28 lead by halftime. They led by as much as 66 points, with 5:58 left in the game.
Momcilovic finished with a game-high 27 points and five steals. Jamarion Batemon added 26 points and shot 7-of-10 from deep off the bench. Joshua Jefferson had a 24-point, 10-assist double-double in a turnover-free outing. Heise and Killyan Toure each had 13 points, while Dominykas Pleta added 12.
Here are three takeaways from the Cyclones’ win:
Jamarion Batemon on Iowa State basketball’s recent offensive success
Jamarion Batemon on Iowa State basketball’s recent offensive success
Iowa State basketball sets several team records
The Cyclones’ 22 made 3-pointers and 132 total points are new program single-game records.
With just under six minutes to go, Jefferson ran out in transition and considered going for a layup before kicking it out to an open Momcilovic. The junior converted with a corner 3-pointer that gave the Cyclones their largest lead of the night and officially broke the program’s 3-point record.
More: Iowa State basketball breaks points, 3-point records vs Alcorn State
Iowa State previously made 18 3-pointers in a 92-89 overtime win at Kansas on Feb. 4, 2017.
Batemon caught fire in the second half, recording 17 of his 26 points after the break. He also sank one final long-range basket with under a minute to go, helping the Cyclones officially set the record at 22.
“It was amazing to just have that kind of fun with your guys,” Batemon said. “We work for it every day, so to see that kind of performance like that, it was amazing to see.”
The Cyclones also broke another record from that same season. On Nov. 20, 2016, Iowa State defeated The Citadel, 130-63.
Batemon’s final 3-pointer also gave the Cyclones the single-game team scoring record.
Iowa State was unselfish in its record-setting performance, with assists on 33 of 46 baskets.
The Cyclones also set new marks for most points scored in a single half by an Otzelberger-led team. Iowa State had 60 points in the second half against Syracuse last week, but it followed up by dropping 65 first-half points against the Braves and then 67 second-half points to finish off Alcorn State.
The program record for most points in a single half was 76 points against Omaha on Dec. 31, 1991.
“We’re not necessarily in this to try to break records; we want to play to a standard and play the best we can every possession,” Otzelberger said. “It’s great to see some of our guys with their confidence get going, shooting the ball the way that they are, so we’ll just continue to do the hard work and play one possession at a time, but for the work they put in, they should feel good about the way they shared the ball, the way they shot the ball. Now we need to continue to get better doing it.”
Cade Kelderman and Jamarion Batemon on Iowa State scoring records
Cade Kelderman and Jamarion Batemon on Iowa State scoring records
Iowa State’s scorching-hot shooting display
Over Iowa State’s last 60 minutes of basketball action, which includes the second half of the Cyclones’ 95-64 slaughter of Syracuse on Nov. 26, Iowa State has amassed 192 points. That’s an impressive 3.2 points per minute.
Since the second half against Syracuse, Iowa State is shooting a blistering 68-of-96 overall (70.8%) and 28-for-41 (68.3%) from beyond the arc.
When you break it down by half against Alcorn State, Iowa State shot 22-of-29 (75.9%) and 10-for-12 from deep in the first half. There was a slight dip after the break, but the Cyclones hardly missed a beat, shooting 24-of-36 (66.7%) and 12-of-18 from long range.
“It was a lot of fun,” Iowa State guard Cade Kelderman said. “Felt like everyone on our team couldn’t miss.”
Defensively, Iowa State generated 27 turnovers, which turned into 48 points the other way.
More: Iowa State basketball vs. Alcorn State recap of historic night
The Cyclones also won on the glass, once again, outrebounding Alcorn State, 32-18. Iowa State had 10 offensive rebounds, which turned into 20 second-chance points.
It was an all-around dominant performance.
“Our defense has to set the tone for everything,” Otzelberger said. “How we dictate and the physicality we play with always translates to the same thing on the offensive end, so our greatest performances defensively usually translate to things going well offensively.”
Iowa State basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger on Dom Nelson’s health
Iowa State basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger on Dom Nelson’s health
Iowa State guard Dominick Nelson is day-to-day, Cade Kelderman ready to step up
Dominick Nelson didn’t get to join in on the high-scoring affair and was a noticeable addition to the Cyclones’ injury list.
More: Dominick Nelson out for Iowa State basketball vs. Alcorn State
He did not play against Alcorn State and is day-to-day with a groin injury, according to Otzelberger.
“In the game against Syracuse, something that he kind of tweaked it — a lower-body, groin (injury),” Otzelberger said. “When we got back, it was a little bit more sore than we thought. Didn’t have great burst or range of motion. He’ll continue to be evaluated, he’s getting workouts in and when he’s ready to be reintegrated, we will do that, but I’d say at this point he’s day-to-day.”
Iowa State coach T.J Otzelberger on guard Cade Kelderman
Iowa State coach T.J Otzelberger on guard Cade Kelderman
With Nelson and Tamin Lipsey dealing with groin injuries, it looks like the Cyclones will be counting on Kelderman to step into the rotation.
The Waukee native carved a niche for himself as a dependable player who could fearlessly step into extended minutes at the end of last season when the Cyclones were bogged down by injuries. The junior guard played well enough that he was promoted from walk-on to scholarship player.
Kelderman had seen some action this year, sparingly, but against Alcorn State, he entered the game early in the first half and reappeared throughout. He had seven points, seven assists, four steals and no turnovers through 16 minutes.
“We knew that his opportunity would come and more opportunities are going to continue to come his way, so what I really value and appreciate about Cade is he’s an everyday guy,” Otzelberger said. “He’s a competitor, he’s a winner and when you call his number, he’s going to step up for you. We saw that again here today.”
Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at erapay@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5.
