• Box Score: Iowa State 69, Texas A&M 46
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AMES, Iowa (AP) — Part of the reason Iowa State was so excited to bring in Chris Allen was his experience in February and March.
The games are getting bigger and bigger for the Cyclones, and Allen just keeps playing better and better.
The Michigan State transfer scored a career-high 25 points and Iowa State pounded Texas A&M 69-46 on Saturday for its fourth victory in five games.
Scott Christopherson added 10 points for the Cyclones (18-7, 8-4 Big 12), who pulled into a tie with Baylor for third place in the Big 12 ahead of Monday night’s showdown with the Bears in Waco, Texas.
The Cyclones head south with a red-hot Allen, who is averaging more than 18 points a game in his last four contests.
“Guys did a great job finding (Allen), who really got it going,” Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg said. “It’s been great to see him play like we all knew he could play.”
Iowa State blasted Texas A&M (12-12, 3-9) 74-50 last month. But this one might have been even easier, as the Cyclones turned a comfortable lead into a huge one with a 13-0 run early in the second half to go up 48-22.
Iowa State saw its three-game winning streak snapped Tuesday night with a tough 69-67 loss at Oklahoma State. The Cyclones had little trouble bouncing back against the surprisingly woeful Aggies — and even when Iowa State made mistakes, it was quick to fix them.
Melvin Ejim went up for an easy dunk off a textbook entry pass from Christopherson early in the second half. But Ejim was flat-footed and, after misjudging his distance from the rim, blew the slam. The Cyclones got it back, though, and Allen curled open for a 15-footer that gave Iowa State its first 20-point lead at 42-22.
“He’s been through the grind, being a fifth-year senior,” Texas A&M coach Billy Kennedy said of Allen. “We didn’t have an answer for him.”
The Cyclones, who have won six of eight, can now turn their attention to what should be a huge game against the Bears.
Iowa State is in good position for an NCAA tournament at-large bid, but beating Baylor would provide a signature road win.
“This is the time where, if your team isn’t at the highest peak or peaking, there’s really no point in you to even keep playing because teams are so much hungrier when it gets around this time,” Allen said.
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