Last year, the Iowa State men’s basketball team was bounced after one game at the NCAA tournament. On Thursday, the Cyclones made certain they would at least play twice in this year’s Big Dance.
No. 4 ISU disposed of No. 13 Iona, 94-81, in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Thursday afternoon at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo.
The Cyclones (22-11) advance to play the winner of No. 5 Purdue and No. 12 Arkansas-Little Rock on Saturday. They led by as many as 18 midway through the second half, though the Gaels (22-11) made it tough, coming within eight points with a minute and a half to play.