Kansas rallies past Iowa State in OT
by Randy Peterson, USA TODAY Sports
AMES, Iowa. — Maybe Iowa State and Kansas are just destined to play overtime games.
It happened again on Big Monday at Hilton Coliseum, five weeks after they played an extra-session thriller at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas.
The result was the same, too, sixth-ranked Kansas owning the extra five minutes to the tune of 18-6, this time for a 108-96 overtime victory against a Cyclone outfit that led by five points with 44.5 seconds left in regulation.
Iowa State led 87-82, then fell victim to Elijah Johnson, who took the game over with Kansas’ next eight points.
The final two were free throws with 4.9 seconds to play, and they came as the result of a frantic exchange underneath the basket that left a raucous 14,376-fan sellout up in arms.
Johnson drove into the lane and collided with the Cyclones’ George Niang. Much to the Hilton faithful’s chagrin, no charge was called, and the gripes were compounded when Niang was whistled for a foul as he and Johnson scrambled for the ball on the ground.
“I can’t get too much into that call,” Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg said.
What’s inarguable, however, is that this contest was another Big 12 Conference classic.
There were 18 lead changes during a game in which Johnson scored 30 of his 39 points after halftime — and 10 in the overtime.
“He was unbelievable,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “He was the best player in the country tonight.
“I’ve had a guy get 30 before, but never get 30 in a half.”
It was one of those thrilling games that happen every so often – a game that included Iowa State’s Korie Lucious taking part of the responsibility for Johnson’s big game.
“I need to step up my defense,” Lucious said.
Self received his first technical foul in two seasons – long before getting his 500th career win.
Self’s 400th career victory as a collegiate coach also came against the Cyclones.
Strange happenings? Cyclone Korie Lucious’ intended second-half lob pass to Ejim went in the basket.
Iowa State made a whopping 17 3-point baskets – while taking an eye-popping 41 long-range shots.
Indeed, it was strange, as Iowa State fans … [For more on No. 5 Kansas rallies past Iowa State in overtime, click here.]
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