Iowa State pounds Oklahoma 83-64

It didn't matter. The Cyclones could hardly miss from 3-point range, and the defense quickly improved.

Iowa State buried seven of its first 10 3s — from six different players, no less — in building a 31-20 lead. Clyburn then followed a rousing one-handed slam with a putback to push the Cyclones ahead 39-25.

“We did a great job of making the extra pass to make sure everyone was getting shots,” Babb said.

The Sooners and Cyclones both played on Saturday, and Oklahoma certainly defended like a team with tired legs in the first half.

Iowa State shot 51.5 percent in the opening 20 minutes, hit eight 3s and committed just three turnovers.

“I'm really proud of these guys for the way they approached it,” Hoiberg said. “You really have to have great awareness to Pledger, to Osby.”

The Sooners will have the rest of the week off before hosting league-leading No. 5 Kansas on Saturday — a game that could provide the Sooners a chance to make everyone forget about their recent skid.

Kruger said fatigue wasn't a factor in losing to the Cyclones, who have beaten the Sooners three straight times for the first time since 1996-97.

“We've got no excuses,” Kruger said. “Iowa State did what they wanted to do. We didn't take much away, and we're going to have to work on changing that.”