CHICAGO - Iowa State pulled away in the second half Friday to remain undefeated with a 65-54 men's basketball victory over St. Louis.

In a battle of unbeatens at the Chicago Invitational, the Cyclones (6-0) got 16 points apiece from Craig Brackins and Diante Garrett to hold off the Billikens (4-1).

After St. Louis opened the second half with two straight buckets to take a 31-30 lead, the Cyclones responded with a 13-0 run, keyed by five points from Brackins.

The Cyclones put the game away at the free-throw line, shooting a season-high 78.9 percent (15-of-19) from the stripe.

Marquis Gilstrap scored 11 points for ISU, and Lucca Staiger added 10, including two big second-half 3-pointers.

Brian Conklin scored a game-high 18 points for St. Louis.

The Cyclones advanced to the championship game of the tournament at 7 p.m. Saturday, when they will meet either Notre Dame or Northwestern.

ST. LOUIS (4-1) - Conklin 8-10 2-4 18, Reed 5-10 4-7 14, Salecich 2-7 0-0 4, Cassity 0-3 0-0 0, Mitchell 2-10 0-0 5, Jordan 1-6 0-0 2, John 2-7 0-0 4, Reid 1-1 0-0 2, Remekun 2-2 1-1 5, Totals 23-56 7-12 54.

IOWA STATE (6-0) - Brackins 6-18 2-3 16, Gilstrap 3-10 5-6 11, Hamilton 0-0 0-0 0, Garrett 5-11 5-6 16, Staiger 3-8 2-2 10, Christopherson 2-6 0-0 4, Colvin 0-1 0-0 0, Dendy 1-1 1-2 3, Vanderbeken 2-3 0-0 5, Boozer 0-0 0-0 0, Totals 22-58 15-19 65.

St. Louis 27 27 - 54

Iowa St. 30 35 - 65

3-point goals - StL 1-16 (Salecich 0-3, Cassity 0-2, Mitchell 1-6, Jordan 0-3, John 0-2), ISU 6-14 Brackins 2-3, Gilstrap 0-1, Garrett 1-1, Staiger 2-6, Christopherson 0-1, Vanderbeken 1-2). Rebounds - StL 39 (Reed 13), ISU 38 (Vanderbeken 8). Assists - StL 12 (Salecich 4), ISU 11 *Staiger 3). Turnovers - StL 15 (Reed 3, Salecich 3), ISU 11 (Garrett 3). Steals - StL 3 (Reed 2), ISU 1 (Garrett). Total fouls - StL 19, ISU 16. Fouled out - Salecich. Att. - N/A.