Ejim's double-double power Cyclones past Bulldogs in Big 4 Class - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

It wasn't the prettiest of games, but Iowa State managed to get past Drake with an 86-77 win Saturday night in the inaugural Big 4 Classic in Des Moines.

Both the Cyclones and Bulldogs struggled to find a rhythm offensively, combining for 52 fouls and shooting 62 free throws.

Iowa State went the charity stripe a season-high 41 times, converting 31.

And, powered by Melvin Ejim, who recorded his 11th career double-double with 21 points and 11 boards the Cyclones improved to 8-3 on the season.

"You know, the guys on the team were just looking for me," Melvin Ejim said following the win.  "I had the hot hand, they were getting the ball to me in places where I can do things with it."

"You know we ran plays for Melvin, we normally don't run a lot for him.  But, he had it going and we had a couple of their guys in foul trouble, so we kept on going to him," Head Coach Fred Hoiberg added.  "He made good plays,"

"We certainly didn't play a very good game," Drake Head Coach Mark Phelps said.  "Give Iowa State credit they made their free throws. They did enough, obviously, to win the game."

The Cyclones are on the road Wednesday to battle UMKC.  Iowa hosts South Carolina State.