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National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Iowa St. 58, Oklahoma St. 50
When: 7:00 PM ET, Monday, February 29, 2016
Where: James H. Hilton Coliseum, Ames, Iowa
Officials: # Darron George, # Kelly Self, # Mark Whitehead
Attendance: 14384

Georges Niang warned that he might cry on Iowa State's Senior Night. And he did.

Then Niang, the winningest player in Cyclones history, ditched the soft side and got tough on Oklahoma State, adding to his legacy in 21st-ranked Iowa State's 58-50 win at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa.

Niang posted a double-double, scoring 17 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. He ended his home career on a high note, leaving to a raucous ovation with 17.6 seconds remaining. He has now played a part in 96 career wins at Iowa State, who is 21-9 overall, 10-7 in the Big 12 this season.

Oklahoma State (12-18, 3-14) lost its fifth straight. The Cowboys were severely short-handed, missing two ailing starters: forward Leyton Hammonds and guard Jeffrey Carroll. They joined an injured list that already included starting guards Phil Forte and Jawun Evans, who are out for the season.

Niang, guard Abdel Nader and center Jameel McKay were all honored on Senior Night. And all thrived.

Nader finished with 19 points, hitting three of five 3-point attempts. McKay added six points and 10 rebounds.

For Niang, it was emotional.

"I was afraid coming to the game today, because I don't want to leave this place," he said. "But as I got on the court and saw all 14,000 (fans), I realized, I'm not leaving. I've got a home forever in Ames.

"I don't know if I'll ever experience anything as great as I've experienced here. The support. The love. The real love I've felt here. I think I put my all into this place. I'm content with closing the chapter at Hilton, because I left everything I had out there."

The Cyclones forged a big lead in a game that was close through halftime, going on an 11-0 run to open the second half.

Niang and McKay each scored four points during the spurt before guard Matt Thomas fired in a 3-pointer to send Iowa State in front 38-25 at the 15:44 mark. Iowa State's lead grew to as much as 51-33 with 10:57 remaining.

Still, the Cowboys rallied, pulling within 53-47 on guard Tyree Griffin's runner in the lane with 2:02 to play.

However, the Cyclones again extended the margin and finished strong, claiming a 10th conference win for the fifth straight season.

Four of those years, Niang has been a key part of Iowa State's success.

"He's been here four years," Cyclones coach Steve Prohm said of his star player. "When you coach four-year guys, it's a little bit different. They come in as 18-year-old guys and you see them develop. He's got a personality and charisma about him. He's one of the guys who put Iowa State basketball back on the map.

"Great for Georges. He's been terrific. His career has been amazing. We just want to keep winning for him and the rest of the seniors."

Guards Jeff Newberry, Tavarius Shine and Joe Burton led Oklahoma State with nine points each.

Iowa State led just 27-25 at the half, needing a late scoring drought by the Cowboys to seize the lead.

In the end, the Cyclones just had too much for the shorthanded Cowboys.

"So proud of our team's effort. So proud of em," Cowboys coach Travis Ford said. "You've got an exhausted team in our locker room. They gave it all they had."

NOTES: Oklahoma State shot just 31.7 percent from the floor. Iowa State made 43.4 percent of its field-goal attempts. ... Cyclones F Georges Niang on Monday was named one of 11 finalists for the Oscar Robertson Trophy, presented annually by the United States Basketball Writers Association. Niang ranks second in the Big 12 in scoring, averaging 19.4 points. The senior is posting career numbers in scoring, rebounding (6.1), field-goal shooting (54.3 percent) and free-throw shooting (82.8 percent). He has scored in double figures in all 29 games, including 12 games with 20 or more points. ... Iowa State won its seventh consecutive Senior Night game.
Top Game Performances
 
Oklahoma St.   Iowa St.
Joe Burton 9 Scoring Abdel Nader 19
Tyree Griffin 5 Assists Monte Morris 6
Jeff Newberry 7 Rebounds Jameel McKay 10
Chris Olivier 2 Free Throws Made Abdel Nader 4
Jeff Newberry 2 Steals Abdel Nader 1
N/A Blocks Hallice Cooke 1
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Oklahoma St. 50 31.7 4-27 8-13 10 37 0 6 11
Iowa St. 58 43.4 5-19 7-12 15 38 3 2 12