Iowa State Cyclones Triumph Over Kansas Jayhawks
In a decisive matchup on Saturday, the fifth-ranked Iowa State Cyclones triumphed over the ninth-ranked Kansas Jayhawks with a score of 74-56, effectively ending Kansas’ impressive eight-game winning streak. This victory, crucial for Iowa State (currently holding a 22-3 record and 9-3 in Big 12 play), comes after their previous defeat to TCU, where they lost 62-55.
Game Highlights
The clash marked the beginning of a challenging five-game run for the Cyclones, where they will face four ranked opponents. Despite a sluggish start—where they managed to convert only one of their first ten shots—Iowa State’s strong defensive performance kept them in the game, trailing only 6-2 at one point. Momentum shifted when they launched into a dominant 20-2 scoring spree in the first half, ultimately leading 37-27 at halftime.
In the second half, Iowa State further established their control with a 20-7 run in the first five and a half minutes, knocking down six consecutive three-pointers. Their defensive intensity limited Kansas to a mere 31.6% shooting rate for the second half and rendered them ineffective from beyond the arc, as they made only 1 of 8 attempts from three-point range. Throughout the game, Kansas struggled with their shooting, landing at 37.3% overall and accumulating 13 turnovers, ten of which occurred in the first half.
Player Performances
Milan Momcilovic led the Cyclones with 18 points, supported by Tamin Lipsey, Joshua Jefferson, Blake Buchanan, and Jamarion Bateman, each contributing 11 points. For Kansas, Melvin Council Jr. topped their scoring with 15 points, while Flory Bidunga added 11 points to the tally. Kansas freshman Darryn Peterson returned to the lineup after missing the previous victory against top-ranked Arizona, managing to score 10 points in 24 minutes on the floor.
Historical Context and Upcoming Games
This contest marked the seventh meeting between Iowa State and Kansas when both teams were ranked in the top ten, with the series now even after Iowa State’s win, having previously lost to the Jayhawks 84-63 on January 13.
Next up for Kansas is an away game against Oklahoma State on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Iowa State will host No. 3 Houston on Monday, further elevating the stakes for their upcoming games.
