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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Top 25: No. 25 Iowa State pounds Omaha 91-47

Iowa State guard Deonte Burton puts up a shot over Nebraska-Omaha forward Daniel Meyer during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, in Ames, Iowa. Burton scored the first 13 points for Iowa State. (Justin Hayworth / Associated Press)
Associated Press

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State moved the ball and yet again played strong defense.

The result was a surprisingly satisfying win on the heels of two tough losses.

Deonte Burton scored 20 points and the 25th-ranked Cyclones pummeled Nebraska-Omaha 91-47 on Monday night, snapping a two-game losing streak.

Donovan Jackson had 15 for the Cyclones (6-2), who hit 15 of 29 3-pointers and rolled to their third win of 40 or more points this season.

“I thought we did some things better,” Iowa State coach Steve Prohm said. “Pace of play. Sharing the basketball, moving the basketball, the ball moving side to side. And defensively, for the majority of the game, I thought we competed.”

Iowa State knew it had to take the Mavericks (4-5) seriously after they stunned Iowa on Saturday. The Cyclones never let Omaha think it had a chance, storming ahead 36-9 after just 12 minutes – with Burton scoring their first 13 points.

“I just took what they were giving me, and it was falling,” Burton said.

Iowa State, which fell six spots in Monday’s AP Top 25 poll but remained ranked for the 61st week in a row, held the Mavs to 28 percent shooting.

The Cyclones, not typically known for their defense, have held three of their last four opponents to 56 points or less.

“We play in a really good league,” Prohm said, looking ahead to Big 12 play. “You better guard, and you better play the right way.”

Tra-Deon Hollins had 13 points to lead the Mavs.