Jayhawks bully Cyclones to narrow loss on Big Monday

Jan 16, 2017; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Nazareth Mitrou-Long (15) defends Kansas Jayhawks guard Devonte’ Graham (4) at James H. Hilton Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

AMES — Iowa State kept within striking distance and even had a chance to win it at the end, but this one never felt especially close.

No. 2 Kansas, 76, Iowa State 72.

In the paint, it was no contest. The Jayhawks out-rebounded Iowa State 41 to 24 and scored 52 points. Even with one of the best home court advantages in the country behind you, it’s tough to win games giving up that much on the glass.

Monte Morris, Deonte Burton and Naz Mitrou-Long led the Cyclones with 23, 21 and 18 points respectively. However, Kansas’ 54.8 field goal percentage was too much for the veteran Cyclones to combat. Frank Mason III led Kansas with 16 points.

Up next for the Cyclones is a Saturday road trip to Oklahoma (1 p.m. on ESPN2).

Check out CycloneFanatic.com later tonight for complete coverage of the game.