5 key stats from Iowa State basketball's Sweet 16 loss to Tennessee
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CHICAGO — Iowa State basketball was shorthanded, but 6-seeded Tennessee hardly had any sympathy.
The Volunteers' big men were unrelenting on the glass and inside, and they helped Tennessee knock down the Joshua Jefferson-less Cyclones. After holding a one-point halftime lead, Tennessee pulled away after the break for a 76-62 win on Friday, March 27, at United Center.
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Iowa State finished the season with a 29-8 record.
Nate Heise and Tamin Lipsey each had 18 points to lead the Cyclones.
For Tennessee, Nate Ament had a team-high 18 points. Felix Okpara had a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double with three blocks and a steal. Ja'Kobi Gillespie added 16 points, while Jaylen Carey had an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double off the bench.
Here are five noteworthy numbers from the Cyclones' loss:
+21 — Rebounding margin in favor of Tennessee
Tennessee entered the Sweet 16 as a team known for excelling on the glass, especially on the offensive boards. With Jefferson ruled out for Friday's game with a sprained ankle, the Volunteers were able to use their imposing size and rebounding skills right away.
Tennessee demolished an undersized and short-handed Iowa State on the glass. The Volunteers had three starters measure at 6-foot-10 or taller in Ament, J.P. Estrella and Okpara, and they were difficult to box out and keep off the glass. Tennessee also had two 6-foot-8 forwards enter the game off the bench.
The Volunteers outrebounded Iowa State, 43-22. Tennessee managed to collect 16 offensive rebounds.
14 — Tennessee second-chance points
There were times Iowa State minimized the damage and got a stop, even with the Volunteers getting second or third chances at a basket, only to come empty-handed.
There were other moments where Tennessee's frontcourt overmatched Iowa State, or the Cyclones failed to track a long rebound or loose ball.
Although Tennessee got all those offensive rebounds, the Volunteers only got 14 second-chance points out of it.
34.6% — Iowa State second-half shooting percentage
After a closely-contested first half, where Iowa State only trailed by a point, the Volunteers were able to gain separation and build a double-digit lead.
The Cyclones had a harder time keeping up, as Tennessee's length and size made life difficult on offense. Iowa State wasn't able to get into a groove at the perimeter, so it had no choice but to try to go inside. There were no easy drives to the basket, and oftentimes the Cyclones had to change their shot mid-air or settle for a difficult off-balanced, or fadeaway shot.
Iowa State shot 9-of-26 (34.6%) overall and 1-of-10 from deep in the second half.
Overall, the Cyclones shot 38.9% for the game, and they went 5-of-23 (21.7%) from deep.
36 — Points for Tamin Lipsey, Nate Heise in final college game for Iowa State
In a highly physical game, with plenty of collisions and contact, it was fitting that two of the Cyclones' toughest players led the pack for what turned out to be their last game for Iowa State.
Tamin Lipsey and Nate Heise were the only players to score in double figures for the Cyclones.
Heise shined in the first half, while Lipsey stepped things up in the second.
With his gold medal-winning big sister, Taylor, in the house and his team in need of players to step up in Jefferson's absence, Heise once again filled in for the 6-foot-9 standout forward in the starting lineup. He had 14 of his 18 points in the first half. He also had five rebounds and a steal.
As for Lipsey, 11 of his 18 points came in the second half. He also had five rebounds and five assists. He also brought the hustle to both ends of the floor, hitting the deck often and drawing fouls and contact in the tough matchup.
17 — Tennessee turnovers
How were the Volunteers going to handle the Cyclones' defensive pressure? This seemed like the one area where Iowa State could potentially make up for any rebounding discrepancy.
The Cyclones were able to force 17 Tennessee turnovers, but only converted those into 14 points the other way. In the second half, they only had three points off turnovers.
Iowa State tried to push the pace, but the Volunteers were able to get back and their length inside made it difficult for the Cyclones to convert.
Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 5 key stats from Iowa State vs Tennessee in March Madness Sweet 16