Iowa State Stuns No. 2 Houston in a Hilton Magic Classic
Monday night in Ames delivered everything you'd expect from a matchup between two of the Big 12’s elite. No.
6 Iowa State and No. 2 Houston went toe-to-toe in a game that felt like a preview of something much bigger-think Final Four energy in mid-February.
And when it was all said and done, the Cyclones walked away with a 70-67 win that sent Hilton Coliseum into a frenzy and left the rest of us catching our breath.
This wasn’t just another Top 10 clash. This was a statement.
Iowa State has now knocked off Kansas and Houston in back-to-back games. Meanwhile, Houston, despite the loss, has still won 17 of its last 19.
These are two teams built for March. Monday night just gave us a sneak peek.
Let’s break down the three biggest takeaways from a game that had everything-drama, defense, and just enough Hilton Magic to tip the scales.
Hilton Magic Is Alive and Well
If you’ve been to Ames, you know there’s something different about that building. The walls shake.
The crowd doesn’t sit. And when the game is tight, the energy feels like it’s pulling the ball into the hoop.
That’s exactly what happened in the final two minutes.
With 2:10 left, Jamarion Batemon buried a baseline three to give Iowa State a one-point lead. Houston’s Kingston Flemings answered with a silky pull-up from midrange to snatch it right back.
But the Cyclones didn’t blink. They worked the clock, moved the ball, and found Nate Heise in the corner.
Bang. Another three.
Iowa State back up by two with just over a minute left.
From there, it was chaos in the best way. Houston’s Emanuel Sharp missed a three.
Iowa State’s Joshua Jefferson drove hard to the rim but got rejected from behind by Joseph Tugler. Houston had a chance to tie it, but Flemings slipped on his drive, Chris Cenac missed a floater, and ISU’s Black Buchanan grabbed the rebound and drew a foul.
Buchanan, not known for his free-throw shooting, missed the front end, giving Houston one last shot. But Tamin Lipsey tipped the miss to Jefferson, who split a pair at the line. Flemings’ desperation heave at the buzzer sailed wide.
Ballgame.
Here’s why this one felt like vintage Hilton Magic:
- Iowa State erased a double-digit second-half deficit, snapping an 11-game losing streak when trailing by 10 or more after the break.
- The Cyclones closed the game on a 17-4 run, hitting three straight threes to seal it.
- Since the start of the 2022-23 season, Iowa State is now 14-1 at home against Top 25 teams and 48-2 overall at Hilton Coliseum.
That’s not just home-court advantage. That’s a fortress. And on Monday night, it was the difference.
A Final Four-Caliber Battle
ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla called it at halftime: this looked and felt like a Final Four game. And he wasn’t wrong. These are two of the most complete teams in the country-tough, disciplined, and loaded with two-way talent.
The first half was a masterclass in efficiency. Houston’s Emanuel Sharp dropped 16 points before the break.
Iowa State countered with a balanced attack-Tamin Lipsey, Milan Momcilovic, and Nate Heise each had eight. Both teams shot better than 50% from the field and had just two turnovers apiece.
Against two of the best defenses in the nation, that’s almost unheard of.
By the final buzzer, the two teams had combined for just 10 turnovers. That’s not just clean basketball-it’s high-level execution under pressure.
Heise finished with 11 points, including the go-ahead three that may have been the shot of the night. His sister, Taylor, was simultaneously helping Team USA reach the gold medal game in women’s hockey at the Olympics. Safe to say it was a big night for the Heise family.
On the Houston side, Flemings was sensational. He poured in 22 points and nearly willed the Cougars to a comeback.
Sharp added 16, Milos Uzan chipped in 11, and Chris Cenac grabbed 12 boards. This wasn’t a bad loss-it was a heavyweight fight that came down to one or two possessions.
For Iowa State, Jefferson had 12, Buchanan added 10, and eight different players scored at least six points. That kind of depth is what makes the Cyclones so dangerous.
Can both of these teams make a run to the Final Four? Absolutely. Monday night proved they’ve got the talent, the toughness, and the coaching to get there.
Mercy Miller’s Moment-and His Patience
You might have seen the dunk. If not, go find it. Mercy Miller, the son of rapper Master P, put a Cyclone defender on a poster with a thunderous slam that had the internet buzzing.
But beyond the highlight, there’s a bigger story here.
Miller came to Houston as a Top 75 recruit. In today’s transfer-heavy landscape, a player with that pedigree who doesn’t get immediate minutes usually bolts.
Not Miller. He stayed.
He bought into Kelvin Sampson’s culture, which rewards patience and toughness over flash.
He played just seven minutes on Monday and scored two points, but his impact was felt. He’s athletic, committed to defense, and brings relentless energy.
With Sharp and Uzan set to move on after this season, Miller’s time is coming. And if he sticks around, he’s got a clear path to a starting role in 2026-27.
That dunk? Just a preview.
Final Word
This was one of those games that reminds you why college basketball in February hits different. Two top-tier teams, a raucous crowd, and a final stretch that had everything from clutch threes to last-second scrambles.
Iowa State proved it can hang with anyone. Houston showed why it’s been one of the most consistent teams in the country. And if we’re lucky, we’ll get to see these two square off again-with even more on the line.