Ames, Iowa–I’m sure everyone is talking about Iowa State now and they should be after tonight’s upset win.
No. 12 Iowa State (15-4, 6-2 Big 12) made plays down the stretch to hold off a late rally by No. 5/5 Kansas State (17-3, 6-2) for 80-76 win on Tuesday night before a sold-out crowd of 14,267 fans at Hilton Coliseum.
With the victory, Iowa State improve to 11-0 at home this season and 15-4 overall and 6-2 in the Big 12 conference. K-State falls to 17-3 overall and 7-1 in conference play.
Also, the win marked Iowa State’s fifth Top 25 victory of the season and moved the Cyclones back into a tie for first place in the Big 12 standings with Texas and K-State, both of which the Cyclones have beat this year.
Guard Jaren Holmes scored 23 points, including 18 in the second half and a pair of free throws in the final seconds that helped sealed the win.
The Cyclones trailed 33-31 at the break after the Wildcats hit six of its last nine field goal attempts and held ISU scoreless over the final 2:38 of the half.
Both teams shot better than 50% from the hardwood, including an opponent-high 57.1 % (28-of-49) by the Cyclones, which finished with edge in points off turnovers (25-13), points in the paint (34-28) and second-chance points (17-7).
The Wildcats was able to hit on 52.1 % (25-of-48) of its field goals, including a season-best 56.3 percent (9-of-16) from downtown. The 76 points were the most allowed this season by Iowa State, which ranks among the top-10 in 4 defensive categories nationally and tops in the Big 12 in scoring defense (58.6).
In the second half, Holmes, came out on fire. A 10-1 run by Iowa State put them up 47-41 with 14:30 left in the game. The Cyclones extended ended the lead to 10 points with just more than 8:00 minutes remaining of the clock.
Down 59-49 with 8:12 to play, K-State made a late run behind the playmaker senior Markquis Nowell, who poured in five points in a 10-1 run that closed the deficit to 60-59 at the 5:43 mark. However, senior Caleb Grill made his only shot – a 3-pointer – on the next possession after a huge offensive rebound from Tamin Lipsey that gave the Cyclones a 63-59 advantage going down the stretch.
Five times down the stretch, the Wildcats got within one possession but Iowa State had a answer for their run. They remain perfect (11-0) at home. Nowell, who continue to play above all expectations had a game-tying 23 points and a game-high 9 assists, missed a layup with 14 seconds left that would’ve pulled K-State to within 76-75. Lipsey grabbed the defensive rebound and Grill sink a pair of free throws for a 78-73 lead.
The Wildcats had four players in double figures, but K-State struggled defensively in the second half as Iowa State shot 62.5.% from the floor in the final half and made 15 of 19 free throws. K-State simply couldn’t come up with enough stops down the stretch.
Gabe Kalscheur chipped in 19 points, Osun Osunniyi had 16 and Lipsey rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points to go along with six boards, four assists, and three swipes for the Cyclones.
Next Up:
Iowa State travels to Missouri Saturday for the SEC/Big 12 Challenge. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. on ESPN2.
