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Ejim makes history as No. 16 ISU beats TCU

Feb 9, 2014 - 6:13 AM Ames, IA (SportsNetwork.com) - Melvin Ejim exploded for a Big 12 record 48 points on 20-of-24 shooting, and also pulled down 18 rebounds, as No. 16 Iowa State barely broke a sweat in taking down TCU, 84-69, at Hilton Coliseum.

Ejim tied a school record with 20 field goals and his final point total was the most for an Iowa State player in a conference contest. He also ranks second in school history for points in a single outing, edging out Barry Stevens' 47 points against Morgan State in 1985.

"If I could sum it up in one word I'd say teamwork," Ejim said when asked what led to his scoring outburst. "I think these guys just did a great job of finding me in transition and giving me the ball in places where I could score."

Georges Niang was the only other player in double figures, with 11 points to go with six rebounds and six assists for the Cyclones (18-4, 6-4 Big 12).

Kyan Anderson posted 27 points for the Horned Frogs (9-13, 0-10), while Amric Fields had 18 with eight rebounds and Karviar Shepherd tallied 11 points and eight boards in a losing cause.

"We battled," TCU head coach Trent Johnson said. "For us to be within striking distance with about four minutes to go, I can't fault what our kids did."

Anderson's layup and foul shot just over four minutes into the second half pulled the Horned Frogs within eight, at 41-33. But Monte Morris hit back-to- back shots, the last one a three, for a 46-33 score, Ejim followed with a slam and it was a 15-point spread for the Cyclones.

A Michael Williams layup made it a seven-point margin, 55-48, with 10:19 to go, but ISU once again separated.

Brandon Parrish's dunk with 8:26 left gave TCU slight hopes of a comeback at 60-52, but Ejim followed with a trey, added a layup off a long-distance miss from Morris, then took a Niang dish for a slam and Iowa State led 67-52 with 7:16 on the clock.

Ejim stayed hot with two more slams and a layup, then capped his monumental performance by converting consecutive lay-ins, the last coming with 49 seconds to play.

ISU bolted out to an early 11-2 advantage thanks to five points from Ejim, and a Naz Long triple enlarged the lead to 16-6. Ejim then hit two from the line with just over seven minutes left in the half to give the hosts a 23-11 edge, and Niang connected from long distance to open up a 32-16 lead late in the half.

TCU was held to under 30 percent shooting from the field in the opening 20 minutes, and trailed 32-22.

Game Notes

Ejim posted his 30th career double-double, has scored in double figures in 24 straight games and has scored 20 or more points in four of his last five games. ... Lafester Rhodes totaled 54 points, and also made 20 field goals in a 102-100 overtime win against Iowa on Dec. 19, 1987 ... Iowa State assisted on 27 of its 32 field goals.