Kunc scores 21, No. 20 Iowa St uses big run, tops McNeese St

Updated Dec. 11, 2022 8:25 p.m. ET

Associated Press

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Aljaz Kunc scored 21 points and No. 20 Iowa State broke away in the second half to beat McNeese State 77-40 on Sunday.

Jaren Holmes added 17 points for the Cyclones (8-2) and Gabe Kalscheur scored 15.

Ahead 33-24 at the break, Iowa State scored the first 15 points of the second half. McNeese (2-7) committed 10 turnovers in the first eight minutes of the period, leading to 13 points for the Cyclones.

Zach Scott and Trae English each scored eight points for McNeese, which finished with 30 turnovers.

The Cyclones shot 54.5% overall, including 10 of 18 from 3-point range.

Iowa State jumped to 12-2 lead, then used an 8-0 run to make it 22-11. Gabe Kalscheur provided the last five points with a layup and a 3.

BIG PICTURE

Iowa State could fall out of the Top 25 after Thursday's 75-56 loss at Iowa. The Cyclones' schedule should soften the next couple weeks, with games against Western Michigan and Omaha, before the Big 12 opener Jan. 31 against Baylor. McNeese lost at Baylor 89-60 on Nov. 23.

UP NEXT

McNeese hosts Lafayette on Thursday.

Iowa State hosts Western Michigan on Dec. 18.

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AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25