Jayhawks’ Tough Win Over Cyclones, Tar Heels And Michigan State Confident

The game of the night in the NCAA took place in Kansas, where No.9 Jayhawks survived the stubborn No. 24 Iowa State Cyclones, 80-76.

It was one very intense game, in which the Jayhawks (16-3, 5-2 Big 12), had to work very, very hard to get this win. Iowa State (14-5, 4-3), was leading throughout the first half, and they dictated the tempo, successfully controlling the opponent. They had a 42-37 lead which was kept until the middle of the second half.

And then, they just stopped, allowing a 14-2 run of the hosts who were suddenly up 61-53.

Most of the fans at the Phog saw this as the finished game, but the guests didn’t want to give up, and with two and a half minutes before the end, Michael Jacobsen leveled the result at 69 each. The last minute of the match was thrilling, but it all ended well for the home team, mostly because of Devon Dotson who kept his composure in the final moments of the encounter and calmly made both of his free throws.

#Cyclones make too many mistakes, missed too many open shots to complete season sweep of Kansas. Iowa State comes up short, 80-76.

26 points for Shayok, 29 for KU's Lawson.

Video courtesy of ESPN/Big 12. pic.twitter.com/3PqSbdOCsy

— SoundOFF (@SoundOFF13) January 22, 2019

Iowa State’s coach gave credits to the Jayhawks after the game saying that their physicality on the defensive side of the court in the second half, was the key factor in this match.

“That was the No.1 thing, their physicality. I mean, one time Talen got hit, he boinked from the three-point line to the NBA three-point line” Steve Prohm said at the press conference.

Dedric Lawson was like monster tonight, dropping 29 points and 15 boards on Iowa State’s defense. Marcus Garrett had 16 buckets.

Marial Shayok was the central figure among the guests, with 26 points.

Spartans Without Problems Against Maryland

Michigan State’s (17-2, 8-0 Big Ten), ferocious defense, was the key for their win over No.13 Maryland Terrapins (16-4, 7-2), 69-55. The No.6 Spartans allowed only 20 points in the first half, shutting down guests offensive game like nobody did this season.

“I am really impressed with our defense in general. We had a couple of guys who slept for a while, and now bounced back,” said Tom Izzo in a postgame conference.

We're 99% sure Michigan State's Aaron Henry has learned how to hover mid-air.pic.twitter.com/N6cGDAPE2l

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) January 21, 2019

The Terrapins couldn’t score in the last 4:20 of the first half. After managing to tie the score with Jalen Smiths’ jumper, they allowed 11 straight points until the halftime, looking completely frozen on the court.

The second 20 minutes were routine for the No.6, who easily denied all rival’s efforts to come back in the game. Early on, they made a 12-0 series which was eventually the crucial run that kept the Terrapins away. In those moments, the Spartans led 48-26.

This was the 20th straight win in the Big East Conference for Izzo’s boys, and 12th consecutive overall this season. Kenny Goins had a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Cassius Winston delivered the same number of points, but with 7 dimes. Aaron Henry had 12 buckets.

Freshman Aaron Wiggins was the only notable figure among the guests with 15 points and 6 boards.

Taar Heels’ Three-Point Rampage Breaks Hokies

No.11 North Carolina Tar Heels (15-4, 5-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) opened the contest with No.10 Virginia Tech Hokies (15-3, 4-2), with 11 missed shots behind the three-point line and only one made.

After that, they’ve hit 15 of the final 22 from deep and smashed the Hokies with 103-82.

“I was so mad at what we were doing” Roy Williams poke at the press, about his team’s 1 of 12 three-point shooting.”But I’ve said all year, I think we’re good shooters, and after we make 14 of our 19″

Luke Maye had 4 of them, Coby White 5, and these two guys were stretching Virginia’s defense. White ended the night with 27 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Maye had 14, while Nassir Little stole the show with 23.

Heels Roll! #11 North Carolina’s young guns Coby White and Nassir Little combine for 50 points in 103-82 rout of #10 Virginia Tech.

Coby White: 27 PTS, 7 REB, 6 AST

Nassir Little: 23 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST
https://t.co/SmuYMNXsx3

— CollegeBB News (@CollegeBBNCAA) January 22, 2019

The decisive moments of the event were in the last five minutes of the first half, when Tar Heels made a 20-2 run which lifted them to 45-31.

Coach Williams also praised Virginia’s will for play, as they had only seven available players on their roster. The best one was Kerry Blackshear Jr. who posted a superb double-double with 19 points and 17 rebounds, 10 of them on the offensive part of the court. He also had 5 dimes.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker had the same number of points, while the team-high was set by Ahmed Hill with 20 buckets.