AMES – Iowa State basketball tried its best to make things decidedly disappointing in the Sunflower State this week.
18thThe -ranked Cyclones earned a decisive 79-75 victory over No. 8 Kansas on Saturday afternoon, maintaining a perfect week and perfect record inside Hilton Coliseum this season.
It was the second win of the week for Iowa State (16-4, 5-2 Big 12) against their southwestern neighbors, as the Cyclones defeated Kansas State in somewhat controversial fashion on Wednesday.
More: TJ Otzelbarger denies allegations of spying on Kansas State’s activities by Iowa State basketball
The pair of wins puts Iowa State in the race for the Big 12 title in roughly the middle of the conference slate, with Texas Tech currently in first place with one league loss.
“Our standard is top in the Big 12,” Cyclones point guard Tammin Lipsey said, “and that’s what we’re competing for every day. That’s what we’ve worked for this summer. We’ve put countless hours into it They are together in the gym and outside the court.
“We expect the most from ourselves and each other as a team. I’m expecting big things from us this season as well.”
After defeating the Jayhawks by 15 in Hilton Coliseum a year ago, Saturday marked the first time Iowa State beat Kansas at home in two consecutive years since 2015 and 2016.
Iowa State was boosted by one of its best 3-point shooting performances of the season. The Cyclones hit a season high 14 shots from beyond the arc, with a best of 10 shots connected against both Eastern Illinois and Florida A&M in non-conference play.
Cyclones forward Trey King, who came into the game making 3-of-16 attempts from 3-point range, was 4-of-7 from deep en route to 21 points. Keyshawn Gilbert added 16 for the Cyclones. Lipsey had eight assistants.
Women’s sports: Iowa State women’s basketball loses third Big 12 game with loss at West Virginia
Cyclones dial in remotely
Iowa State led by 12 points in the second half, but Kansas cut the lead to two in the final minute.
Appropriate for the day, it was a 3-pointer that provided the Cyclones with the breathing room that would ultimately get them over the finish line.
With Iowa State clinging to a two-point lead and the shot clock running down to its final seconds, Gilbert made a 3-pointer that put the Cyclones up by five with 41 seconds to play, and recaptured the Kansas Cyclones’ lead. Was unable to threaten.
“In the first half we played the same game and two (defenders) came at me and I had to kick out to Milan (Momsilovic),” Gilbert said. “He protected it a little bit differently. I had nowhere to go so I gave him a little nod and I just shot him.
“I was lucky enough to get into it.”
Iowa State was 14 of 30 from 3-point range. The Cyclones have been one of the worst 3-point shooters in the Big 12 in league play, shooting 27.4% from deep against conference opponents on Saturday.
“Give them credit,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “Could we have done better? Yes. A lot of it was shots they weren’t making statistically this year. We played percentage, thinking it would be a smart play to come here and make some ball-screens. You can finish things by switching.
“They made us pay for it. They shot it great.”
King was perhaps the most surprising sharpshooter for the Cyclones, although his opportunity projected Iowa State as a possibility.
“What we talked about in preparation for this game was that a lot of guys were going to help me because they didn’t think I could shoot the ball,” King said. “So one thing Coach TJ and Coach (Eric) Crawford really talked to me about if they get down and it’s the right shot and the right time, take it and make it.”
While Iowa State shot it better than it had all season, Otzelberger did not attribute the increase in long-range production to luck.
“The ball movement of our guys, looking for each other, trusting in the work they do every day was very important,” he said. “It’s not so much a casual shooting effort, but a group of guys who are really hungry to win, who play for each other and make shots when they get the chance.”
Iowa State coach TJ Otzelbarger blames Kansas State
Iowa State coach TJ Otzelbarger blames Kansas State
Iowa State and Kansas will not meet again in the regular season
One disadvantage of the Big 12 expanding to 14 teams this season (and growing to 16 next year) is the round-robin schedule that was a hallmark of the league when it was a 10-team conference.
Thus, this will be the only regular season meeting between the Cyclones and Jayhawks. Iowa State will not play in Lawrence for the first time since 1921. It deprives the conference – and the game – of one of its more entertaining matchups. It also changes the perception of what a regular season league championship means.
“I could be wrong on this, well, I think the winning league mentality with the players and the fans is different than when you knew you were playing everyone twice,” said Self. Who have won an astonishing 12 Big 12 championships in 16 regular seasons, said. “We’re playing Baylor twice. We’re playing Houston twice. We’re playing Oklahoma twice, which is top-10. We’re playing our rival K-State twice.
“I was in the Big Ten when it was an unbalanced league. A lot of times the favorites in the league depend on who you get at home and who you get on the road. To me, it’s going to be a great league. “Whoever wins the league should be seeded one. That’s the way I see it, regardless.”
“But I don’t think it has the same meaning, at least when you go into the locker room and you have unequal status there and you’re not playing with the same guys.
“I don’t think it has the same impact right now as it has in years past.”
Long serving officer honored
John Higgins, a longtime referee known for his work on Final Force and a shock of blonde hair, was recognized by the state of Iowa on Saturday.
Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard presented Higgins with a framed photo of Hilton Coliseum before tip-off.
Higgins was often one of the most accomplished officials at Hilton Coliseum, regularly working Big 12 games.
Cyclones fans, who spent much time booing Higgins during his career, cheered during the presentation.
Higgins, a native of nearby Omaha, retired last season after a career that spanned 35 years, 29 NCAA tournaments, nine Final Fours and two national title games. He is now the coordinator of officials for the Western Basketball Officiating Consortium.
next
After a tough week, which included two high-intensity games and anonymous accusations of covert spying by Kansas State, Iowa State now gets a chance for relief.
The Cyclones will not have their normal midweek game and instead will be off until Saturday when they travel to Waco to face No. 14 Baylor.
The Bears (14-4, 3-2) have lost both consecutive games on the road, heading into their Saturday afternoon home game against TCU. Iowa State defeated Baylor in three games last season.
Travis Hines covers Iowa State University sports for the Des Moines Register and Ames Tribune. Contact him at [email protected] or (515) 284-8000, FFollow him on X at @TravisHines21.
