Cyclones Dominate Eastern Illinois in All-Out Effort at Hilton Coliseum
If you were in Hilton Coliseum on December 14, you didn’t just watch a basketball game-you witnessed a showcase of what Iowa State basketball looks like when it’s firing on all cylinders. The Cyclones brought intensity, depth, and a relentless pace to their matchup against Eastern Illinois, and from the opening tip, they made it clear: this was going to be their night.
From the jump, guard Tamin Lipsey set the tone. Whether it was slicing through defenders to find open teammates or attacking the rim with purpose, Lipsey played like a floor general with complete command of the offense. At one point, he threaded a pass through a tight window between two Eastern Illinois defenders-a play that didn’t just move the ball, it moved the crowd.
On the wing, Jamarion Batemon was locked in from deep. He let it fly from beyond the arc multiple times in the first half, including a confident pull-up over a closing defender that brought the Hilton faithful to their feet. Batemon’s shooting helped stretch the Panthers’ defense, and once the floor opened up, the Cyclones went to work inside.
That’s where forwards like Joshua Jefferson and Blake Buchanan made their presence felt. Jefferson was a force in the paint, finishing through contact and showing off a soft touch around the rim.
Buchanan, meanwhile, brought the thunder-throwing down a dunk in the first half that echoed through the arena. Later, he finished a lob with authority, a play that was as much about timing and chemistry as it was about athleticism.
Defensively, Iowa State swarmed. Killyan Toure and Buchanan teamed up to trap Eastern Illinois guard Meechie White in the corner, applying high-pressure defense that disrupted the Panthers' rhythm. The Cyclones’ length and energy on the defensive end made it tough for Eastern Illinois to get clean looks, especially in the halfcourt.
Milan Momcilovic added a smooth scoring touch, getting to the basket with finesse and knocking down shots from the perimeter. Whether it was a layup in traffic or a three-pointer over a contesting defender, Momcilovic showed off the versatility that makes him such a tough matchup.
The second half was more of the same. Iowa State kept its foot on the gas, with Jefferson continuing to get buckets inside and showing strong effort on the glass. Toure delivered a highlight-reel dunk in traffic, and Dominick Nelson added to the scoring column with a confident jumper over tight defense.
Even as the game wore on and the bench got involved, the Cyclones didn’t let up. Eric Mulder came in and immediately made an impact, scoring inside on multiple possessions and holding his own defensively. His effort in the paint, including a bucket over two defenders, underscored the depth of this Cyclones squad.
On the other end, Iowa State’s defense remained locked in. Jefferson came up with a huge block in the second half, rejecting a shot attempt by Eastern Illinois guard Andre Washington. It was the kind of play that punctuated the Cyclones’ overall defensive effort-active hands, smart rotations, and a commitment to making every possession difficult.
And while the players were putting on a show, the Hilton crowd brought the energy. From the student section to the rafters, fans were loud, engaged, and feeding off every big play.
Head coach T.J. Otzelberger was animated on the sidelines, coaching with the same fire his team displayed on the court.
This wasn’t just a win-it was a statement. Iowa State looked deep, disciplined, and dangerous.
If they can bottle this kind of performance, they’re going to be a tough out for anyone in the country. The chemistry is building, the rotations are tightening, and the Cyclones are starting to look like a team with serious postseason potential.