March Madness 2022: Tyrese Hunter scores 23 as Iowa State edges LSU in NCAA tourney

Iowa State turned to Tyrese Hunter on the very finish, and the freshman delivered.

In relation to Milwaukee in March, the Cyclones know precisely what to do.

Hunter scored 23 factors and Iowa State shined in Milwaukee as soon as once more, utilizing its hard-nosed protection to beat No. 6 seed LSU 59-54 within the first spherical of the NCAA Event on Friday night time.

“Folks say freshman this, freshman that, however on the finish of the day, I’m a basketball participant that’s on the market with different basketball gamers simply attempting to compete and win,” mentioned Hunter, who made two late 3-pointers to place LSU away. “I simply go on the market and do my factor.”

Izaiah Brockington added 19 factors because the Eleventh-seeded Cyclones (21-12) received their first win within the NCAA tourney since 2017 — additionally in Milwaukee. They held the Tigers to 37% capturing and compelled 19 turnovers, stopping a three-game slide.

Hunter, who grew up in close by Racine, made six of his seven 3s within the second half, sending coach T.J. Otzelberger to 1 candy victory. The 44-year-old Otzelberger grew up in Milwaukee, went to Wisconsin-Whitewater and commenced his teaching profession at Catholic Central Excessive College in Burlington.

Otzelberger was employed after Iowa State gained simply two video games final season. Now the Cyclones are into the second spherical of the Midwest Area, the place they may face No. 3 seed Wisconsin on Sunday after the Badgers superior with a 67-60 victory over Colgate.

“You do not have the kind of turnaround that we now have had this season if the younger males in your program do not buy in instantly, do not work extraordinarily arduous and do not combat by way of adversity,” Otzelberger mentioned.

The Cyclones’ religion in Otzelberger is most evident on the defensive finish, the place they’re nearly at all times in the precise spot, making life tough for his or her opponent and honoring their coach’s roots.

“I wasn’t lucky sufficient to be all that good of a participant, so it was my solely approach to ever discover myself on the courtroom,” Otzelberger mentioned.

Tari Eason scored 18 factors for LSU, and senior Darius Days had 14. However they did not get a lot assist.

“The fellows actually fought arduous,” Days mentioned. “There’s not likely an excessive amount of to say aside from that.”

It was the primary recreation for the Tigers (22-12) since coach Will Wade was fired final weekend amid allegations of NCAA violations. Affiliate head coach Invoice Armstrong additionally was let go.

An LSU fan within the stands behind the staff’s bench held up an indication that learn “Win For WADE” as the sport received began.

Kevin Nickelberry was elevated to interim coach, and the Tigers turned of their normal stellar effort on protection. However they struggled on the opposite aspect. The staff additionally acquired a technical for having too many gamers on the courtroom at one level within the second half.

“I mentioned all week it is simply basketball, however the distractions have been rather a lot,” Nickelberry mentioned, “and these guys nonetheless fought by way of these distractions, went out and gave LSU an opportunity to win tonight.”

Iowa State, which shot 36% from the sphere, opened a 50-39 lead on Brockington’s 3 with 7:09 left. However LSU responded with an 11-1 run.

After Days’ foul shot received the Tigers inside one, Hunter linked on a protracted 3 to present the Cyclones some room. He nailed one other one from an analogous spot with 19 seconds left, lifting his staff to a 59-54 lead.

“Tonight occurred to be Tyrese’s night time,” Otzelberger mentioned, “and the ball discovered him. Our guys knew he had the new hand.”

In between all of the missed photographs and turnovers, every staff had its moments. Hunter had an acrobatic layup early on, after which beat the shot clock with a 3-pointer for a 24-12 lead with 6:37 left within the first half.

However LSU got here proper again. Eric Gaines had an enormous block on a driving Brockington with 4:35 left, a part of a 7-0 run for the Tigers to shut the primary half.

The halftime numbers have been bleak; Iowa State was 9 for 27 from the sphere, and LSU was 7 for 27 with 10 turnovers.

CLOSE TIES

Hunter performed for Nick Bennett at St. Catherine’s Excessive College. Bennett is the cousin of Virginia coach Tony Bennett and the nephew of former Wisconsin coach Dick Bennett. Tony and Dick additionally have been a giant affect on Otzelberger’s teaching profession.

BIG PICTURE

LSU: The teaching search is on. Search for athletic director Scott Woodward to strive for an additional massive identify after hiring soccer coach Brian Kelly from Notre Dame, Corridor of Fame ladies’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey from Baylor and baseball coach Jay Johnson from Arizona.

Iowa State: It wasn’t fairly, however the Cyclones will take it. They very practically squandered their massive lead down the stretch.