Tre King helps No. 14 Iowa State hold off TCU for 71-59 win

AMES, Iowa -- — Tre King scored 15 points and Keshon Gilbert had 13 points and seven assists, helping No. 14 Iowa State beat TCU 71-59 on Saturday.

Curtis Jones also scored 13 points for Iowa State (18-5, 7-3 Big 12), which improved to 14-0 at home this season. The Cyclones shot 50% (24 for 48) from the field and went 15 for 18 at the free-throw line.

“We don't really care who scores,” Jones said. "Whoever gets the good look, that's who the coaches and we want taking the shot.

“We all trust and believe in each other, so it's a beautiful thing to see.”

Emanuel Miller led TCU (16-7, 5-5) with 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting. Jakobe Coles went 3 for 3 from 3-point range and finished with 14 points.

“They're just a more physical team than us,” TCU coach Jamie Dixon said. “They are physical on drives.”

Demarion Watson's dunk with 12:56 left gave Iowa State a 49-32 lead. But TCU responded with a 10-0 run.

Baskets by Tamin Lipsey and Robert Jones helped the Cyclones regain control. Jones made a jumper to give Iowa State a 63-51 lead with 3:52 remaining.

“We knew they were going to throw punches and we also knew we were going to throw punches,” King said. “The biggest thing we talked about was getting big stops when we needed to.”

TCU got off a miserable start.

The Horned Frogs made just two of their first 14 shots and went scoreless for more than 7 minutes. Iowa State put together a 13-0 run on its way to a 20-8 lead.

“We weren't able to get as many runouts or 3-on-2s, fast-break situations,” Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger said. “So sharing the ball is going to be important.”

Lipsey made a 3 late in the first half, helping Iowa State to a 30-22 lead at the break.

Lipsey spent much of the game in foul trouble, but Curtis Jones helped Iowa State pick up the slack.

“We all just trust in what we do every day,” Jones said. “We still believe, with or without Tamin, were going to cause havoc on defense and make the right reads on offense.”

The Horned Frogs went 5 for 17 from 3-point range.

“They haven't lost here and we know that,” Dixon said. “We have to play better. Simply put, we're not defending well enough.”

Iowa State showed progress when it comes to putting teams away.

“I just think you've got to find ways to focus and keep getting stops and continue to score the basketball,” Otzelberger said. “We were able to do just enough of that to keep that separation and not have the game more in jeopardy.”

BIG PICTURE

Iowa State began Saturday as one of three Big 12 teams sitting atop the standings with three conference losses. The Cyclones have two more games before traveling to co-leader Houston on Feb. 19.

DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE

In two meetings this season, Iowa State's defense has flustered TCU. The Cyclones forced 27 turnovers in a 73-72 win on Jan. 20. On Saturday, the Horned Frogs committed 12 turnovers. They shot 8 for 26 in the first half.

UP NEXT

TCU hosts West Virginia on Monday.

Iowa State visits Cincinnati on Tuesday.

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