AMES — You can’t truly measure Iowa State basketball’s physicality and intensity by numbers, but they were both undoubtedly present in the Cyclones’ return to form.
UCF led after hitting the game’s first basket, but the Cyclones were in complete control on both ends of the court in their 87-57 victory over the visiting Knights on Jan. 20.
Iowa State led 44-26 at halftime, and it led by as many as 31 points in the lopsided victory.
The Cyclones improved to 17-2 overall and 4-2 in Big 12 play.
Milan Momcilovic had a game-high 20 points. Joshua Jefferson had a 17-point, 10-rebound, 12-assist triple-double. Jamarion Batemon and Killyan Toure each had 12 points, while Blake Buchanan had 11.
For UCF, Riley Kugel and Jordan Burks finished with 15 points apiece.
The Cyclones’ intangibles were on display, but here are five numbers that stood out in their win to end a two-game losing slide.
66.7% — Iowa State assist rate
UCF looked to pack the paint early, much like Iowa State’s recent opponents, but the Cyclones seemed intent on getting more ball movement and involving multiple players before getting a shot off.
The product resulted in much smoother half-court offense, less stagnant and frustrating sets, and the Cyclones setting the tone early with a 44-point showing in the first half.
Iowa State was able to find open cutters, didn’t force shots as much when driving to the basket, and it capitalized on some open looks at the perimeter.
The Cyclones had an assist rate of 50.0% or lower in three of the last four games. Tuesday night appeared to be a return to form of some of the elite offense they demonstrated earlier in the season. Iowa State finished with assists on 22 of 33 baskets.
19 — UCF turnovers
The Knights had some spells of butterfingers or boneheaded plays, but the Cyclones undoubtedly did a better job of generating turnovers and scoring on the opposite end of the court.
UCF finished with 19 turnovers, including 14 in the first half.
Iowa State had a difficult time turning over Kansas and Cincinnati in its two losses, and it only created a total of 17 turnovers over the last two games.
The Cyclones racked up 31 points off turnovers, and they scored points on each of UCF’s first six turnovers.
Iowa State was active defensively. Of the 19 turnovers, the Cyclones had 13 steals. Tamin Lipsey led with five steals, while Jefferson had four.
345 seconds — UCF scoring drought to close the first half
After falling into a double-digit hole, UCF appeared to be finding a groove, hitting three straight shots to go on a 7-0 run that trimmed the deficit down to 5-points.
Themus Fulks hit a pull-up jumper off the dribble to make it a 31-26 Cyclone lead with 5:45 remaining in the first half.
Then, the Knights went scoreless for the final five minutes and 45 seconds of play, while the Cyclones rattled off a 13-0 run to finish the half. UCF committed five turnovers during this stretch and went 0-for-7 on the floor.
Iowa State would take a 44-26 halftime lead and pull away from there. Devan Cambridge finally broke the drought for the Knights with the first basket of the second half, when he drilled a corner 3-pointer with 18:25 remaining in the game.
12:0 — Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson’s assist-to-turnover ratio in his triple-double performance
A triple-double is no easy feat, and Jefferson just notched the second one of the season and his career.
Perhaps the most impressive part of it was his assist-to-turnover ratio in a turnover-free outing, especially after recent losses.
Over the first five Big 12 games, Jefferson had amassed 20 turnovers, averaging 4.0 per contest.
Against UCF, he was sound with his decision-making, didn’t force things in traffic and gave up a good look at times for an even more open teammate.
Jefferson had 12 assists and no turnovers. It was the fewest turnovers he had in a game since the Cyclones’ 132-68 win over Alcorn State on Dec. 3. In that contest, Jefferson had a 24-point, 10-rebound double-double with no turnovers.
57 — UCF points, a season-low for Iowa State power-conference opponents
The Cyclones’ defense shook off shaky performances by holding UCF to 57 points. It was the lowest by an Iowa State power-conference opponent this season.
The previous low was when the Cyclones held Purdue to 58 points.
UCF shot just 21-of-57 (36.8%) overall and 10-for-32 (31.3%) from deep.
The fewest points Iowa State allowed this season, overall, was when it defeated FDU, 88-50, in the season-opener.
Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at erapay@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 5 numbers that stood out in Iowa State basketball’s win over UCF
Reporting by Eugene Rapay, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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