Spring Break
Iowa State cyclones into town on Saturday
By: David Arno
Issue date: 2/27/09 Section: Sports
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Senior guard Josh Carter sent a message to the A&M student body on Thursday, thanking students for the support throughout the season.
"This is a very important game," Carter said in the e-mail. "We need the 12th Man's help to beat the Cyclones to continue our winning streak. The team really appreciates all of your support this year, the 12th Man makes the difference and gives us a huge life when we play at home."
Since beating Texas 81-66 on Feb. 16, the Aggies started winning, taking games from Texas Tech and Nebraska on the road.
The Aggies came from behind to beat Nebraska on Tuesday. A&M erased an 18-point second half deficit and needed the buzzer-beater from senior forward Josh Carter to keep its NCAA tournament hopes alive.
A&M improved to 20-8 overall and 6-7 in Big 12 play with three games remaining in the regular season. The game against the Cyclones is one of the final two home games of the season.
Iowa State is 14-14 overall and 3-10 in conference play and has yet to win a conference game on the road in 2009. The Cyclones broke a three-game losing streak on Tuesday when they beat Baylor at home, 71-62. Iowa State has lost 14 consecutive Big 12 conference road games.
Iowa State sophomore forward Craig Brackins leads the Cyclones in scoring, blocks and rebounds. His 19.9 points per game is second in the Big 12 behind National Player of the Year candidate Blake Griffin from Oklahoma. Brackins also leads the Cyclones with 9.3 rebounds per game.
Carter leads the Aggies in scoring and steals. He is averaging 13.4 points per game and scored 20 against Nebraska.
As a team, A&M is averaging 69.9 points and 37.4 rebounds per game. However, Iowa State is ranked No. 2 in the conference in scoring defense, holding opponents to 63.5 points per game. The Cyclones are also ranked No. 2 in the Big 12 in 3-pointer defense, holding opponents to a .320 3-point field goal percentage.
A&M has won five consecutive games against Iowa State. Iowa State's previous win against A&M was a 91-82 home victory on Feb. 24, 2004.
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