TCU Stuns No. 12 Iowa State With Late Surge, Snapping Cyclones’ Win Streak
For 36 minutes on Tuesday night, Iowa State looked like a team ready to extend its win streak to six. But the final four minutes belonged entirely to TCU.
The Horned Frogs closed the game on a stunning 12-0 run, flipping a tight contest into a 62-55 upset in Fort Worth. The loss snapped Iowa State’s five-game winning streak and sent TCU fans pouring onto the court in celebration.
And for the Cyclones, it wasn’t hard to pinpoint what went wrong.
Turnovers and Missed Free Throws Prove Costly
Iowa State turned the ball over 17 times - a number that loomed large in a game where every possession mattered. Add in a 2-of-8 performance at the free throw line, and the Cyclones left a lot of points on the table.
Head coach T.J. Otzelberger didn’t sugarcoat it postgame.
“We take a lot of pride in taking care of the basketball,” Otzelberger said. “But it’s got to be something that really matters to us, especially in key moments. With the veteran guys we have, we’ve got to be better.”
The Cyclones had moments where their offense clicked - most notably during a 14-1 second-half run that gave them a brief lead and some momentum. Milan Momcilovic and Joshua Jefferson each hit big threes during that stretch, and Nate Heise chipped in with timely cuts and finishes. For a few minutes, Iowa State found its rhythm.
But it didn’t last.
TCU’s Defense Clamps Down Late
TCU’s defense, long known for its length and athleticism, turned up the pressure when it mattered most. The Horned Frogs closed off driving lanes, rotated quickly, and made life difficult around the rim. Iowa State, which had been feeding off its defensive energy during its run, suddenly couldn’t buy a stop or a bucket.
“They’re really disruptive,” Otzelberger said of TCU. “Their rotations are fast, they’re athletic, and when you get the ball at the rim, you want to feel like you can finish or at least get to the line. But we weren’t able to do that tonight.”
The Cyclones had no answer for TCU’s late-game surge - a combination of defensive stops, transition buckets, and clutch shot-making that turned a close game into a statement win for the Horned Frogs.
Moving Forward
Despite the frustrating finish, Otzelberger emphasized the importance of returning to the basics: practicing with purpose, competing with urgency, and earning the right to win.
“Our guys care. They’re about the right things,” he said. “We’ve got to get back to work, earn it in practice, and carry it over to the game.”
Iowa State has shown it can bounce back - this is still a team that’s built its identity on defense, toughness, and execution. But Tuesday night was a reminder that in Big 12 play, especially on the road, there’s no margin for error.
Next up: a chance to regroup and respond on Saturday.