AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State’s transfer-laden team has struggled with consistency at times this season. The newcomers didn’t have any trouble carrying the Cyclones in their Big 12 debuts. Chris Babb scored 17 points and Iowa State beat Texas 77-71 Wednesday night in the Big 12 opener for both teams. Royce White added 14 points and Chris Allen scored 13 for the Cyclones (11-3), who won their league opener for the first time in five seasons. They did so behind Babb, White, Allen and fellow newcomer Anthony Booker, who combined for 55 of Iowa State’s 77 points. Texas star J’Covan Brown finished with 19 points despite missing most of the second half after turning his right ankle. Clint Chapman added a career-high 19 points and 14 rebounds for the Longhorns, who lost just their second Big 12 opener in 14 tries under coach Rick Barnes. Sheldon McClellan’s layup with 16 seconds left pulled the Longhorns (10-4) within 75-71. But that was as close as they would get, as Allen sealed it from the free-throw line.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — For the first time in five seasons, Iowa has back-to-back Big Ten victories on the road. The Hawkeyes were determined and poised enough to overcome an 11-point deficit at Minnesota late in the first half and even endure six straight missed free throws in the final 40 seconds. The Gophers simply lost their way — and their confidence. Matt Gatens had 19 points, six rebounds and three steals to lead Iowa’s second-half surge past Minnesota for a 64-62 win on Wednesday night. Maverick Ahanmisi’s runner from the edge of the lane in traffic bounced off the other side of the rim as the buzzer sounded, giving the Hawkeyes (10-6, 2-1) their first win over their border-state rival in five years. Fueled by a head-turning victory at then-No. 11 Wisconsin last weekend, the Hawkeyes hounded the Gophers into 4 for 23 shooting from 3-point range and forced 6-foot-11 center Ralph Sampson III into six turnovers. Up next for Iowa is a home game against No. 6 Ohio State, then a trip to No. 10 Michigan State, followed by a visit from No. 16 Michigan.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa offensive tackle Riley Reiff has announced he has declared for the NFL draft.

The Gazette in Cedar Rapids reports the 23-year-old native of Parkston, S.D., confirmed his decision Tuesday.

The 6-foot 6-inch 300 pound Reiff was a first-team all-Big Ten pick this fall and second-team as a junior. He is projected by many to be a first-round pick.

He played four years for the Hawkeyes, starting for nearly three full-seasons. He was red-shirted his freshman year, keeping him eligible for four more seasons, and next season would have been his final year of eligibility.