Big 12 Tournament 2013: Iowa State Storms Back, Defeats Oklahoma 73-66

Mar 14, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Will Clyburn (21) shoots the ball as Oklahoma Sooners guard/forward Cameron Clark (21) defends in the second half during the second round of the Big 12 tournament at the Sprint Center. Iowa State won 73-66. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Just when it looked like a regular episode of the Iowa State men’s basketball team going through the motions, Will Clyburn and Melvin Ejim bring the Cyclones to life in a thrilling comeback against the Oklahoma Sooners.

Down 60-48 with 7:52 to go, nothing was going right for Iowa State at the perimeter or defensively. Georges Niang started everything with a 3-pointer to cut the lead into single digits. Ejim made the assist and then drove to the basket to get two free throws. Then it became the Clyburn show, scoring seven straight points and capping it with a huge 3-point shot to tie it all up at 60.

Ejim was the high man for the Cyclones, collecting 23 points and 12 rebounds. He now has recorded a double-double against all nine other Big 12 teams this season. Even more outstanding was the efficiency scoring 8-13 from the field and hitting all seven free throw attempts.

Clyburn finished with 17 points and eight rebounds, but obviously the seven straight points were his biggest highlight of the day.

Iowa State was atrocious from behind the arc, going 2-18 before their comeback. They finished making 5-8 in the final eight minutes, ending up shooting .269 percent on the day. Tyrus McGee had a poor day efficiently making just 1-6 (and 2-8 from the field overall), but still contributed seven points and four rebounds.

The Cyclones outrebounded the Sooners 41-31 after being even most of the day. Again, ISU was able to get clutch rebounds and shots as Oklahoma faded away.

Romero Osby was huge for the Sooners, finishing with 18 points, nine rebounds, and five assists. Most of that production happened in the first 30 minutes of the game, and he wasn’t able to establish himself again when Iowa State made their dramatic comeback.

This is ISU’s first win in the Big 12 tournament since 2005. They will play the winner of the Kansas vs Texas Tech game tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. CT.