No. 3 Iowa State Shrugs Off Slow Start to Beat Oklahoma State at Hilton
AMES — No. 3 Iowa State finds another way to win
No. 3 Iowa State didn’t look unbeatable early Saturday night, but elite teams don’t need perfection they need answers. After a sluggish start and early Oklahoma State runs, the Cyclones steadied themselves, leaned on their stars, and pulled away late for an 83–71 victory at a packed Hilton Coliseum.
The victory prolongs Iowa State’s best start in program history, keeping them undefeated at 16-0 overall and 3-0 in Big 12 play. More significantly, it reaffirmed the reason this group continues to rise in the national rankings: they react to tests.
No. 3 Iowa State survives Oklahoma State’s early punch
Oklahoma State didn’t come to Ames to act as a spectator. The Cowboys attacked the rim and took advantage of Iowa State’s mistakes. They had a nine-point lead at one point in the first half, which briefly agitated the Hilton crowd.
But the Cyclones never panicked.
Midway through the half, the game changed when forward Joshua Jefferson and sharpshooter Milan Momcilovic made eye contact. Jefferson read double teams and delivered the ball precisely where it was needed as he smoothly transitioned into point-forward mode.
“If they guard him one-on-one, he’s going to score,” Momcilovic said. “If they double him, he’s going to make the right play. That’s what makes it fun.”
That chemistry quickly became apparent. During a two-and-a-half-minute period, three of Jefferson’s five assists found Momcilovic for eight crucial points. With less than six minutes remaining before halftime, Iowa State took its first lead at 30–29 thanks to two of those passes that resulted in three-pointers, including a deep logo-range shot. Momcilovic shot 3-of-5 from beyond the arc to finish the evening with 18 points.
With 19 points to lead the team, Jefferson composedly controlled the offense whenever Oklahoma State posed a threat.
Rebounding and depth fuel Iowa State’s second-half surge
While Oklahoma State continued to hang around after halftime, rebounding quietly became the difference. Iowa State dominated the glass 36–29, including a decisive 9–3 advantage on offensive rebounds.
That edge showed up at the most important moments.
Big man Blake Buchanan delivered a five-minute stretch that swung the game. He converted multiple putbacks, extended possessions, and finished a highlight-reel lob that drew gasps inside Hilton. His work helped turn a six-point lead into an eight-point cushion, then set up free throws that pushed Iowa State ahead by double digits with just over two minutes left.
“Blake had a monster second half,” head coach T.J. Otzelberger said. “He’s a freak.”
Buchanan scored 10 points and joined four teammates in double figures, showcasing the Cyclones’ balance. Killyan Toure added one of his strongest conference performances, posting 12 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals while doing much of the dirty work.
Senior guard Tamin Lipsey battled foul trouble for the second straight game but still delivered when it mattered most. His three-pointer with 4:40 remaining restored a nine-point lead and effectively broke Oklahoma State’s final push. Lipsey finished with 11 points and a game-high four steals.
Why this win matters for Iowa State
Oklahoma State entered the game at 13–3 and refused to fade quietly. The Cowboys repeatedly cut into the lead, but Iowa State answered every run sometimes with shooting, sometimes with defense, and sometimes with pure toughness on the boards.
“That’s the mark of a good team,” Oklahoma State coach Steve Lutz said, pointing to Iowa State’s rebounding advantage. “They exploited us there.”
Otzelberger echoed that sentiment, praising his team’s resilience.
“I’m proud of our guys,” he said. “We had challenges, but we made enough plays.”
For No. 3 Iowa State, this wasn’t just another win. It was proof that even on nights when the rhythm isn’t perfect, the Cyclones have the depth, discipline, and poise to keep their historic season rolling and Hilton Coliseum remains one of college basketball’s toughest places to steal a victory.
