Tamin Lipsey Surge Lifts No. 3 Iowa State Men Past Baylor in Waco
Tamin Lipsey surge flips the script in hostile Waco
The Tamin Lipsey surge arrived exactly when Iowa State needed it most. On a loud Wednesday night in Waco, Lipsey poured in 20 of his game-high 24 points after halftime, powering No. 3 Iowa State men to a gritty 70–60 road win over Baylor and keeping the Cyclones’ perfect season intact.
This was the kind of game that tests toughness, poise, and belief. Baylor had the crowd, the whistles, and early momentum. Iowa State had something else a fearless point guard who refused to let the night slip away.
Early struggles, late takeover
The Cyclones (15–0, 2–0 Big 12) didn’t look like an unbeaten team early. Baylor pushed the pace, forced mistakes, and built a lead that grew as large as eight points in the first half. Lipsey, limited by foul trouble, logged just 11 minutes before the break and managed only two points during that stretch.
Still, Iowa State never panicked.
Lipsey’s second basket of the night cut the Bears’ lead to 23–22 with 2:38 left in the half, a subtle moment that hinted at what was coming. Moments later, star forward Joshua Jefferson drilled a buzzer-beating three-pointer to give ISU a 25–24 halftime lead its first advantage of the game.
Jefferson was massive early, finishing with 19 points and a career-high 17 rebounds. With Lipsey sidelined for long stretches, the 6-foot-9 senior carried the offense and battled inside to keep the Cyclones afloat.
“He does so many things for us,” head coach T.J. Otzelberger said. “He’s an absolute warrior.”
Tamin Lipsey surge turns defense into dominance
If the first half belonged to survival, the second half was all about the Tamin Lipsey surge.
Once freed from foul trouble, Lipsey attacked relentlessly. He sliced through Baylor’s defense, converted tough finishes, and sparked Iowa State’s transition game. The Cyclones outscored Baylor 20–6 in points off turnovers, a staggering margin that flipped the game’s momentum.
One play summed up the night.
With 52 seconds left and Iowa State protecting a slim lead, Nate Heise launched a deep outlet pass. Lipsey tracked it like a wide receiver fitting for a former Ames High quarterback gathered the ball in stride, and finished at the rim. The play went down as a rare Lipsey dunk and restored a three-possession lead, effectively sealing the win.
“I felt comfortable under that ball,” Lipsey said. “He put it in a perfect spot.”
That moment wasn’t just flashy. It was symbolic. Iowa State had taken Baylor’s best shot and answered.
Winning ugly, winning together
The Cyclones had to grind for this one. Four Iowa State players finished with four fouls, and Baylor attempted 29 free throws compared to ISU’s 20. Despite that imbalance, Iowa State clamped down defensively, holding the Bears to just 30.2 percent shooting from the field.
Freshman Killyan Toure chipped in 12 points, including a momentum-swinging steal and dunk. Heise added two key second-half three-pointers and played lockdown defense down the stretch.
“It doesn’t matter who scores,” Heise said. “Road wins are hard to come by.”
The numbers back that up. Iowa State won in Waco for just the fourth time in program history and only the second time under Otzelberger. The victory also marked the Cyclones’ 1,500th win as a program a milestone earned the hard way.
What’s next for Iowa State men?
The Tamin Lipsey surge not only preserved Iowa State’s unbeaten record, it sent a message to the rest of the Big 12. This team can win pretty. It can also win tough, physical, whistle-heavy road games.
There’s little time to celebrate. Oklahoma State (13–2, 1–1) visits Hilton Coliseum on Saturday at 3 p.m., bringing another physical challenge.
“We know it’s going to be a huge test,” Otzelberger said. “It’s a quick turnaround, and we’ve got to lock back in.”
For now, though, Iowa State leaves Waco with something invaluable confidence forged under pressure, and a point guard who rises when it matters most.
On nights like this, undefeated seasons don’t feel accidental. They feel earned.
