Cyclones bounce back to beat No. 8 Texas Tech in Hilton Coliseum

Jan 20, 2018; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Cameron Lard (2) celebrates a basket with forward Zoran Talley Jr. (23) against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the first half at James H. Hilton Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

AMES — Well, that is one way to bounce back.

After its worst all-around game of the season Wednesday night against TCU, the Iowa State men’s basketball team answered its doubters Saturday afternoon at Hilton Coliseum with a 70-52 win over No. 8 Texas Tech. The Cyclones led nearly wire-to-wire with Tech’s only lead lasting 31 seconds early in the second half.

Cameron Lard continued his hot-streak with 18 points on 9-of-11 shooting and six rebounds. The 6-foot-9 freshman center scored 14 of his points in the first half while leading the Cyclones to a 33-25 lead at the break.

Iowa State played one of its most balanced offensive games of the season with four other players scoring in double-figures. Nick Weiler-Babb rebounded from a poor game against the Horned Frogs with 13 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.

Donovan Jackson knocked down three 3-pointers on his way to 13 points while Lindell Wigginton added a pair 3-pointers of his own while scoring 13 points and dishing four assists.

Zoran Talley provided a needed spark off the bench by tying his season-high with 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting and grabbing six rebounds.

Overall, the Cyclones shot 47 percent from the floor, 38 percent from 3-point range and forced 15 turnovers to hand Texas Tech’s its second straight loss and third loss in its last four games.

Iowa State will be back in action Monday night when it visits Austin, Texas to take on the Texas Longhorns in a 6 p.m. tip.