Cyclones Storm Back to Stun No. 2 Houston in Thriller at Hilton Coliseum
In a game that felt every bit like March, No. 6 Iowa State delivered a statement win under the bright lights of Hilton Coliseum, rallying late to knock off Big 12 leader and second-ranked Houston, 70-67, in a battle that had the energy of a postseason showdown.
The Cyclones closed the night on a 17-4 run, flipping the script on a Houston team that had looked in control for much of the second half. And when it mattered most, it was Nate Heise-who hadn’t missed from deep all night-knocking down the biggest shot of the game.
With 1:17 left, Heise buried a corner three to give Iowa State a 69-67 lead, their first since early in the second half. It was a cold-blooded shot in a high-pressure moment, and it capped a perfect 3-for-3 night from beyond the arc for Heise.
The moment had some family magic to it, too. Just hours earlier, Heise’s sister, Taylor, scored for the U.S.
Women’s Olympic hockey team in their semifinal win over Sweden, punching their ticket to the gold-medal game in Milan. Safe to say, it was a banner day for the Heise family.
But this win wasn’t just about one shot-it was about grit. It was about Tamin Lipsey flying in for a critical offensive rebound with four seconds left after Blake Buchanan missed the front end of a one-and-one.
Lipsey didn’t just grab the board-he kept the possession alive, tipping the ball out to Joshua Jefferson, who got fouled with a second remaining. Jefferson hit one of two free throws, sealing the three-point win and sending the Hilton crowd into a frenzy.
Jefferson led Iowa State with 12 points in a balanced offensive effort that saw three players in double figures. Heise chipped in 11, and Buchanan added 10 in a game where every basket felt earned.
For Houston, the loss snaps a six-game winning streak and tightens the race at the top of the Big 12. The Cougars now hold just a half-game lead over No.
4 Arizona, who they’ll face Saturday in a high-stakes matchup back in Houston. Kingston Flemings carried the scoring load with 22 points, while Emanuel Sharp added 16-all in the first half.
Milos Uzan finished with 11.
Houston had its chances late. After Heise’s go-ahead triple, the Cougars were hit with a shot-clock violation on their next possession, a costly miscue in a game this tight.
Then, with the clock winding down, Chris Cenac Jr. had a look to tie it, but the shot missed. The Cyclones did the rest, closing out a win that could have major implications in both the conference race and NCAA tournament seeding.
It’s been a big few days for Iowa State. Just 48 hours earlier, they routed No.
8 Kansas by 18. Now, they’ve taken down two top-10 teams in three days and are firmly in the Big 12 title hunt, just one game behind Houston in the standings.
Next up, the Cyclones hit the road to face No. 23 BYU on Saturday. Houston, meanwhile, will look to regroup in a marquee matchup against Arizona.
With March fast approaching, Iowa State is proving they’re not just built for the moment-they’re built for the madness.