Iowa St. finishes off Central Conn. St., 88-78

MINNEAPOLIS - Central Connecticut State's miracle comeback ended about six minutes too early.<br><br>Marcus Fizer had 27 points and 11 rebounds and Jamaal Tinsley added 26 points as second-seeded Iowa

Thursday, March 16th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

MINNEAPOLIS - Central Connecticut State's miracle comeback ended about six minutes too early.

Marcus Fizer had 27 points and 11 rebounds and Jamaal Tinsley added 26 points as second-seeded Iowa State blew a big early lead before making a late run to beat the 15th-seeded Blue Devils 88-78 on Thursday in the Midwest Regional.

The Northeast Conference champions from New Britain, Conn., were making their first NCAA tournament appearance, and it nearly turned into one of the most shocking upsets in the tourney's history. Only three No. 2 seeds have ever lost a first-round game.

Central Connecticut State erased a 19-point first-half deficit with pinpoint shooting, and Rick Mickens' layup with 6:15 left tied it at 69.

But the shock awoke Iowa State, which immediately made a 12-0 run highlighted by two big jumpers from Michael Nurse, who had 16 points. The shaken Cyclones then hit their free throws late and advanced to the second round to face Auburn.

John Tice scored 21 points to lead the Blue Devils. Mickens, the Northeast Conference player of the year, added 19.

Iowa State led 31-15 by the time Fizer got his second basket of the game. Fizer then scored seven of the Cyclones' next eight baskets as they opened a comfortable lead, but Iowa State allowed the Blue Devils back in the game with poor defense and cold shooting from everyone except Fizer.

Central Connecticut State made a 12-2 run to close the first half, highlighted by a desperation 3-pointer from Tomas Brookins at the buzzer. The Blue Devils stayed with the Cyclones throughout the second half, and Mickens keyed an 11-2 run that ended with his short jumper to tie the game.

While the Blue Devils' bench was delirious, Fizer shouted angrily at his teammates. The motivation appeared to work, as the Cyclones began preventing the drives that Central Connecticut State had been making so easily.

Thousands of fans wearing Iowa State red packed the Metrodome, with one girl holding a sign reading "This is Cyclone Country.'' The school's campus in Ames is less than 300 miles from Minneapolis.