CONWAY, S.C. (AP) — Nick Weiler-Babb had 20 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists Friday to help Iowa State hold off Tulsa 80-78 and reach the championship game of the relocated Puerto Rico Tip-Off.
The Cyclones (2-2) blew most of a 16-point lead in the final 10 minutes but did just enough down the stretch to hang on for a second win in as many days.
Tulsa (2-2) got as close as 72-71 on Sterling Taplin’s layup with 1:12 left, but Jakolby Long answered with a banked-in straightaway basket with 48.6 seconds left to keep Iowa State in front.
Donovan Jackson closed the game out by hitting four straight free throws in the final 18 seconds. He finished with 24 points, while Long scored a career-high 17 with four first-half 3-pointers.
Junior Etou had 25 points while DaQuan Jeffries added 23 for Tulsa, which shot 65 percent after halftime.
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Iowa State: The Cyclones will play Boise State in Sunday’s championship game.