Iowa State Men’s Basketball: Will Clyburn Elevates Cyclones to 79-71 Victory Over Baylor Bears

Will Clyburn completes his sixth double-double of the season and leads the Iowa State men’s basketball team to a huge 79-71 victory over Baylor on Saturday.

Jan 23, 2013; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Jordan Tolbert (32) tries to score over Iowa State Cyclones guard Will Clyburn (21) in the second half at the United Spirit Arena. Texas Tech defeated Iowa State 56-51. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Clyburn was absolutely dominant, finishing with 28 points and 10 rebounds, in a game that the Cyclones (15-6, 5-3) needed to stay in the Big 12 title race. In the guard’s 36 minutes, he went 7-14 overall from the field and hit three 3-point shots, also going 11-12 from the free throw line. He filled in for Melvin Ejim who ran into foul trouble all night long, playing just 14 minutes but still being able to contribute five points and eight rebounds.

The Bears (14-7, 5-3) still haven’t won at Hilton Coliseum, and stayed with Iowa State all night long until the final minutes of the game. Pierre Jackson led the team with 23 points and added six rebounds. He was the biggest offensive force for the team hitting three 3-point shots and going 4-5 from the free throw line. Isaiah Austin, who was defended by Clyburn most of the night, was held below his average points per game and finished with nine points and 10 rebounds.

Even with the Cyclones struggling from the 3-point line, hitting just 4-24 and missing their first 13 attempts, they were able to make it up from the free-throw line making 25-30 attempts. Calls were going their way most of the night in a loud, electric Hilton Coliseum, which was a complete 180 from what happened in Stillwater on Wednesday.

Georges Niang was a force as well offensively with 17 points, and Tyrus McGee led the bench with 10 points and six rebounds, collecting four of the team’s 10 offensive rebounds. The Cyclones outrebounded the Bears 36-32, and committed just 10 turnovers as opposed to 17 against Oklahoma State in their last outing.

Iowa State hosts Oklahoma next on Wednesday and will attempt to win their 20th straight game at home. Tipoff is at 6:00 p.m. CT in Hilton Coliseum.

Brian Spaen is the lead editor of Clones Confidential. Get more Cyclones coverage by following us on Twitter.