DENVER - Georges Niang had 28 points, Monte Morris scored 20, and No. 4 seed Iowa State Cyclones held off a late rally to beat No. 13 seed Iona 94-81 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament's Midwest Regional on Thursday.

Abel Nader added 19 points for Iowa State (22-11), which will face the winner of Arkansas-Little Rock and Purdue on Saturday.

A.J. English scored 28 and Jordan Washington had 26 for Iona (22-11), which is still looking for its first win the NCAA Tournament. The Gaels are 0-10 all-time.

Iona tried to use its running style to overcome the size and talent disadvantage, but the Cyclones used a strong transition defense to slow down the Gaels.

Iona got within 58-50 on a 3-pointer by Deyshonee Much with 15:27 left but Nader's 3-pointer and steal that led to two free throws by Niang push the lead to 16.

The Gaels didn't go away. English answered Niang's bank shot with a running layup make it 81-72. After the teams traded baskets, English sank two free throws to make it 83-76. Niang missed a jumper but English traveled.

Iowa State hit a free throw after English was given a technical and Much missed a 3-pointer that would have cut the deficit to five with 1:23 left. Jameel McKay hit two free throws and the Cyclones held on.

The Cyclones took charge of the game with an early run. The Gaels scored the first five points but Iowa State scored 11 straight, nine on 3-pointers and last on a steal and fast break dunk by Nader with 16:45 left.

NOTES: The only other meeting between the teams was Iona's 89-72 win over No. 23 Iowa State in 2006. ... Cyclones F Georges Niang is a finalist for the Wooden Award and the Karl Malone Award. ... Gaels G A.J. English is the only Division I player averaging more than 20 points, five assists and five rebounds.