Iowa State had shown an ability to rally from double-digit deficits in its first two Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic games.

Last night, the Cyclones were in cruise control for most of the game against Colorado State before holding on for an 87-80 victory in the tournament final at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Curtis Stinson scored 22 points. and Iowa State scored 38 points off 26 turnovers by trapping out of a full-court press and 2-3 zone.

"Our defense always ignites our offense because off turnovers we're good at 3-on-2s and 2-on-1s," said tournament MVP Will Blalock, who finished with 11 points and eight assists.

Jiji Hubalek and Rahshon Clark each added 15 points for Iowa State (9-3), which has won five of its past six.

Iowa State's largest lead was 76-57 after a lay-in by Ross Marsden with three minutes remaining, but Colorado State (9-2) got within six with just under a minute to play.

The Cyclones converted their free throws down the stretch and finished the game 28 of 34.

On Wednesday, Iowa State fell behind by 12 against South Florida before pulling out an 83-74 victory; on Thursday the Cyclones were down 10 against Northwestern State (La.) before winning 81-77 in double overtime.

Last night, Iowa State looked energized from the beginning.

Stinson scored nine points during a 22-4 run as Iowa State took a 25-9 lead with 11:27 remaining in the first half.

"We had a double-overtime game last night and came out with great intensity from the beginning of the game," Cyclones head coach Wayne Morgan said.

The Rams closed to 26-18 on a 3-pointer by Stephan Gilling with 8:02 left, but a 12-4 run by the Cylones pushed the lead back up to 16.

An off-balance 3-pointer from the top of the key by Stinson just before the buzzer gave Iowa State a 43-31 lead at halftime.

"It's always easier when you're ahead," Blalock said. "It's tougher when you're behind. That's why we wanted to get off to that great start and not have to play catch-up the whole time."

Colorado State, which trailed by 17 early in the second half, closed to 56-48 with 11:07 left after a bucket by Michael Harrison, who finished with 25 points.

On the following possession, the Rams' Cory Lewis was called for a blocking foul against Stinson, then assessed a technical foul for arguing.

Clark made both technicals and Stinson hit both ends of a 1-and-1 to put Iowa State up 12.

Seven-foot center Jason Smith, Colorado State's leading scorer at 17.2 points per game, was held scoreless in the half on 0 of 2 shooting. He finished with 10 points.

"Our bigs knew they had a big challenge ahead of them and they went out there and pretty much shut him down," Blalock said.

Stinson, who was also named to the all-tournament team, finished the three-game tournament with 57 points and Blalock had 49.

COLORADO ST. (9-2)

Lewis 2-5 2-2 6, Robinson 1-4 1-2 3, Smith 4-10 0-0 10, Gilling 4-10 2-2 14, Harrison 8-9 9-10 25, S.Morris 1-1 0-0 2, Harris 0-0 0-0 0, Patterson 4-6 0-0 12, Creason 1-1 2-2 4, M.Morris 1-4 2-2 4. Totals 26-50 18-20 80.

IOWA ST. (9-3)

Stinson 7-13 5-6 22, Blalock 3-7 3-6 11, Clark 4-12 7-7 15, Hubalek 6-12 3-3 15, Marsden 4-7 2-2 10, Taggart 1-2 0-0 2, Neal 0-0 0-0 0, Carr 2-3 8-10 12, Currie 0-0 0-0 0, Ceaser 0-0 0-0 0, Gray 0-1 0-0 0, Streff 0-0 0-0 0, Evanovich 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 27-58 28-34 87.

Halftime—Iowa State 43-31. 3-Point Goals—Colorado St. 10-20 (Patterson 4-6, Gilling 4-9, Smith 2-2, M.Morris 0-1, Lewis 0-2), Iowa St. 5-12 (Stinson 3-4, Blalock 2-3, Hubalek 0-2, Clark 0-3). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Colorado St. 30 (Harrison 7), Iowa St. 26 (Clark 6). Assists—Colorado St. 18 (Lewis 9), Iowa St. 16 (Blalock 8). Total Fouls—Colorado St. 26, Iowa St. 18. A—3,324.

RAINBOW CLASSIC

YESTERDAY

South Florida 54, Loyola Marymount 50

Oregon State 73, Western Michigan 68

Hawai'i 80, Northwestern State 76

Iowa State 87, Colorado State 80

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.