Mountaineers Fall To Iowa State On The Road, 83-66

While the Mountaineers couldn't hit practically anything from beyond the arc, the same couldn't be said for the Iowa State Cyclones.

West Virginia got out to a 9-4 lead 5:07 into the game but a 24-5 Iowa State run over the next 5:28 allowed the Cyclones to take a lead and run with it.

Iowa State shot nine of 20 (45%) from three point range on the night and most of their three point shots came at crucial times.

In the second half, the Mountaineers cut the Iowa State lead to just four at 53-49, Naz Long and Georges Niang hit back-to-back three pointers to increase the Cyclones lead back to 10 points with 12:07 remaining. Again, the Mountaineers tried to fight back but the lack of defensive proficiency allowed Iowa State to increase their lead.

Iowa State came to play and West Virginia did not. Defensively, West Virginia told the Cyclones to, "Be My Guest" (get it? It's Hilton Hotels' motto) when shooting a three pointer and the Cyclones more often then not, hit those uncontested three pointers.

Iowa State Georges Niang recorded 24 points on the night shooting nine of 17 which lead all scorers. Allowing opponents to shoot 51% from field goal range and 45% from three is something that, along with what seems like overall confusion playing defense, the Mountaineers are going to have to work on.

The Mountaineers are back in action Saturday in the Coliseum against TCU.