Game Overview
In a commanding performance at Hilton Coliseum, No. 6 Iowa State clinched an impressive 86-65 win over Arizona State on Saturday, powered by a remarkable scoring spree in the second half. Joshua Jefferson, Tamin Lipsey, and Milan Momcilovic were the standout contributors for the Cyclones, each racking up 16 points during the game.
Turning Point
The match took a pivotal turn early in the second half, with Arizona State initially holding a 45-41 advantage. The Cyclones ignited a game-changing 24-0 run following back-to-back three-pointers from Momcilovic and Jefferson. Jefferson, further electrifying the home crowd, made a critical defensive stop against Anthony Johnson, blocking his layup, and then sprinted down the court to finish with a dunk after catching a long pass from Nate Heise.
Struggles for Arizona State
Struggling offensively, the Sun Devils endured a nearly 11-minute field goal drought before Massamba Diop finally scored with a free throw, marking their first points in that span. The drought ultimately culminated with a three-pointer from Andrija Grbovic with 6:21 remaining, but by then, Iowa State had established a commanding 19-point lead.
This 24-point run marks the longest streak under Coach TJ Otzelberger during his five seasons, highlighting Iowa State’s prowess in executing substantial scoring bursts, with a total of 39 such runs this season, the highest in the nation.
Second Half Performance
In the second half, Iowa State outscored Arizona State 49-24, a distressing fact for the Sun Devils as it represented their lowest point total after halftime since managing just 21 points against the Cyclones last year. Diop was the leading scorer for Arizona State with 12 points but also contributed to the team’s troubles, committing seven of their season-high 23 turnovers.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Arizona State is set to face either Baylor or Oklahoma State as the No. 12 seed in the upcoming Big 12 Tournament on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Iowa State, holding the No. 5 seed, will go up against Arizona State or either of those teams on Wednesday.
