Basketball

No. 23 Iowa State pulls away, beats North Dakota

Ames, Iowa – North Dakota hung around Iowa State as long as it could Wednesday night at Hilton Coliseum, but the Cyclones’ stifling defense helped them pull away.

No. 23 Iowa State improved to 6-1 on the season with its 63-44 win over North Dakota to finish out the November slate.

The biggest number of the day may have come from Caleb Grill, who posted a team-high 16 points and hit four three’s.

Grill has had noted shooting struggles at home, shooting 27 percent from behind the arc at Hilton last season and came into Wednesday’s game with a 3-20 mark on the year there.

Not this night, however. Grill looked all the part of his self that hit seven triples in Portland.

Tamin Lipsey and Robert Jones each hit double figures scoring 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Demarion Watson totaled 10 rebounds as well as a three-pointer.

“Coach said he came out there with a look in his eye,” Jones said. “He really took the offensive rebounding challenge to heart.”

Iowa State will return to the court on Sunday to face off with an undefeated St. Johns team (2:00 p.m. ESPN2).

@cyclonefanatic