The UCF Knights walked into Hilton Coliseum on Tuesday night hoping to build on the momentum from their gritty showing against No. 1 Arizona.
But instead of riding that wave into a competitive clash with No. 9 Iowa State, they ran into a Cyclones team that hit the gas early and never looked back.
The result? A lopsided 87-57 loss that served as a reminder of just how punishing Big 12 road games can be-especially against a top-10 opponent firing on all cylinders.
UCF came into the matchup short-handed, with forward Jamichael Stillwell sidelined in a walking boot. Devan Cambridge got the start in his place, but the Knights never quite found their rhythm. Jordan Burks and Riley Kugel each chipped in 15 points, but the offensive cohesion that helped them stay close with Arizona just wasn’t there against Iowa State.
The first half told the story. UCF jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead, but that was about the extent of their control in this one.
The Cyclones turned up the pressure defensively, forcing 13 first-half turnovers and capitalizing with 18 points off those miscues. Iowa State’s defense didn’t just disrupt UCF’s passing lanes-they dictated the pace, forced rushed decisions, and had the Knights scrambling to keep up.
Kugel tried to keep things respectable with 13 points before the break, but Iowa State still took a commanding 44-26 lead into halftime.
Things didn’t get any easier after the break. The Knights’ frontcourt took another hit when Jeremy Foumena went down with a knee injury, further thinning an already depleted rotation.
The Cyclones took full advantage, dominating the paint with a 20-6 scoring edge inside in the second half. UCF’s turnover total ballooned to 19 by the end of the night-its highest mark of the season-and the shooting woes didn’t help either.
The Knights finished at just 36.8% from the field, never able to mount a serious push.
Meanwhile, Iowa State put together a complete performance, led by a special night from forward Joshua Jefferson. The junior was everywhere, recording a triple-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists, plus four steals for good measure.
He got a well-earned standing ovation from the Cyclones faithful. Milan Momcilovic added a game-high 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting, showing off his offensive versatility and helping Iowa State keep UCF at arm’s length all night.
Perhaps most impressive? Iowa State’s discipline.
In a game where they could’ve easily racked up fouls with their aggressive defense, they only sent UCF to the free throw line six times. That kind of control, especially in a game where the tempo was so clearly in their favor, speaks to just how locked in this Cyclones group is right now.
For UCF, the loss drops them to 14-4 overall and 3-3 in Big 12 play. It’s a setback, no doubt, but not a season-defining one. The Knights have shown flashes of promise this year, but Tuesday served as a reminder of the consistency it takes to compete night in and night out in a conference as deep as the Big 12.
Next up: a road trip to Colorado for a Saturday showdown with the Buffaloes. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m.
ET on ESPN+. After a tough night in Ames, the Knights will be looking to regroup, refocus, and get back to the brand of basketball that’s made them one of the more intriguing teams in the conference this season.