ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Tre King had 15 points and No. 8 Iowa State had a late 11-0 run to beat UCF 60-52 on Saturday for its fourth straight victory and seventh in eight games.
Milan Momcilovic added 11 points for Iowa State (23-6, 12-4 Big 12). He hit a basket with 2:20 left to give the Cyclones a three-point lead.
Jaylin Sellers led UCF (15-13, 6-10) with 13 points. Shemari Allen had 11.
After UCF rallied to take a one-point lead, the Cyclone held the Knights scoreless for nearly the final five minutes. UCF broke the drought with 16 seconds left at the foul line. The Knights did not make a field goal in the final 5:08.
Iowa State and UCF have two of the top defenses in the Big 12 — and lived up to the billing. The teams combined to force 39 turnovers — 24 in the first half. The Cyclones took advantage, with 22 points off the Knights' 22 turnovers.
The pressure defense continued throughout the second half and especially during the decisive run. UCF had four turnovers during Iowa State’s late run.
BIG PICTURE
Iowa State: The Cyclones entered Saturday a game behind No. 1 Houston for first place in the Big 12 with two games remaining.
UCF: The Knights are chasing one of the Big 12's automatic qualifications for the NIT.
UP NEXT
Iowa State: Hosts BYU on Wednesday night.
UCF: Hosts Houston on Wednesday night.
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___ Get poll alerts and updates on AP Top 25 basketball throughout the season. Sign up here
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AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
