Iowa State University Cyclones guard Gabe Kalscheur (22) takes a three point shot against North Carolina A&T during the first half at Hilton Coliseum Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, in Ames, Iowa. Photo by Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune
PORTLAND — Iowa State’s stay in the Pacific Northwest is off to a good start.
The Cyclones advanced to the semifinals of the Phil Knight Invitational on Thursday with an 81-79 overtime win over Villanova at the Moda Center. Iowa State will now play No. 1 North Carolina on Friday at 4:30 p.m. central time.
Iowa State’s securing a win over Villanova required falling back into its identity.
The Cyclones forced 18 turnovers and held Villanova to 40.4 percent shooting from the floor while pushing their lead to as high as 16 points early in the second half. Villanova did not go away though as the Wildcats battled back to tie the game late in regulation before Iowa State outscored them 14-12 in the overtime period.
Iowa State was led by 23 points from Gabe Kalscheur, who came off the bench to shoot 8-of-19 from the field and 5-of-15 from 3-point range to go along with four rebounds and three assists before fouling out in 35 minutes.
Kalscheur was joined in double-figures scoring by Osun Osunniyi (17 points, five rebounds), Jaren Holmes (12 points, nine assists) and Robert Jones (10 points, five rebounds).
The Cyclones shot 45 percent from the field and 29 percent from deep with 16 turnovers on the afternoon.
North Carolina advanced into Friday’s winner’s bracket with an 89-81 win over Portland that was close until the final buzzer.
Stay tuned to Cyclone Fanatic throughout the remainder of your Thanksgiving for more coverage from Portland.
