Iowa State Cyclones Fall In The Phog

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas Jayhawks defeated the Iowa State Cyclones Wednesday night 92-81. The game boiled down to a pivotal intentional foul call committed by Dustin Hogue on Andrew Wiggins. There was no malice on the foul, as indicated on the replay, but the call still stood. Iowa State were victims of a hometown call. While the intentional foul call was a four point swing for the Jayhawks, it was not the final in Iowa State proverbial coffin. Iowa State had three consecutive turnovers in that space that lead to the Jayhawks having a big run to put Iowa State away for good.

Georges Niang had a much better effort against Kansas than in the previous matchup. Niang went 0-9 from three point range 16 days earlier against the Jayhawks. His 24 points were a team high, and his 3-7 shooting from outside was a net positive. Niang also exposed young freshman Joel Embiid in his marvelous performance. Embiid has not been a full-time starter for the Jayhawks, and Niang’s ability to play on the perimeter presented a challenge for the young freshman. Coupled with being double teamed on the offensive end all night, Embiid was gassed throughout the second half.

With Embiid being somewhat neutralized, Wiggins and Perry Ellis found themselves free to take open jumpers. Wiggins and Ellis combined for 49 points and made the Cyclones pay for double teaming Embiid. Ellis took advantage with mid-ranges finishes while Wiggins caught fire from outside. Wiggins shot 4-6 from long distance and had a career high 29 points.

The intentional foul call is yet another stroke of bad luck for the Cyclones in Allen Fieldhouse. Last season, the Cyclones saw Ben McLemore bank in a three point shot at the buzzer to force overtime. Iowa State has lost four out of the last five games, but will look to rebound at home against Oklahoma Saturday.

Jack Dooley is a Big 12 Basketball writer for Rant Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @JackDooleyRS.

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