Cyclones Dominate Jayhawks with Defense, Depth, and a Second-Half Shooting Clinic
AMES - February is where contenders separate themselves from the pack, and Iowa State just made a statement.
The Cyclones rolled past Kansas, 74-56, at Hilton Coliseum on Saturday, improving to 22-3 overall and 9-3 in Big 12 play. This wasn’t just a win - it was a wire-to-wire showcase of what makes this Iowa State team dangerous: relentless defense, balanced scoring, and a second-half shooting explosion that left the Jayhawks scrambling.
Let’s break down five key stats that tell the story of how the Cyclones handled business against one of the conference’s perennial powerhouses.
13 - Kansas Turnovers, and Iowa State Made Them Hurt
Turnovers are part of the game, but against Iowa State, they become backbreakers. The Cyclones forced Kansas into 13 giveaways - 10 of them coming in a disruptive first half - and turned those mistakes into 19 points. That’s the kind of swing that can flip a game, and Iowa State capitalized with surgical precision.
What makes this even more impressive? The Cyclones only coughed it up six times themselves. That kind of turnover margin is a blueprint for winning big games, and Iowa State executed it to perfection.
37.3% - Kansas’ Shooting Woes
Kansas came into this one with confidence, especially after shooting over 50% in the first meeting between these two teams. But Saturday was a different story. Iowa State’s defense forced the Jayhawks out of rhythm and off their spots, particularly in the paint - an area where Kansas usually thrives.
The result? Kansas shot just 37.3% from the field and 33.3% from deep.
Every possession felt like a grind, and Iowa State’s defensive rotations were crisp from start to finish. This was a team committed to making life uncomfortable for the Jayhawks - and they succeeded.
20-2 - The Run That Flipped the Game
Early on, this one looked like it might be a defensive slugfest. Iowa State started just 7-of-22 from the field, struggling to find a rhythm. But then came the spark - a Joshua Jefferson and-1 that cut the Kansas lead to 20-19 with just over six minutes left in the first half.
From there, it was all Cyclones. A 20-2 run over the next five minutes completely flipped the game. Blake Buchanan capped it off with an and-1 of his own, and just like that, Iowa State was up 36-22.
Kansas managed just one basket during that stretch, while Iowa State forced three turnovers and limited the Jayhawks to single-shot possessions. It was a classic Hilton Coliseum momentum shift - the kind that leaves visiting teams rattled and fans roaring.
By halftime, the Cyclones had built a 37-27 lead, and they never looked back.
6 - Straight 3-Pointers to Open the Second Half
If there was any doubt about Iowa State’s ability to shoot the ball, the second half put that to rest. After going just 3-of-16 (18.8%) from beyond the arc in the first half, the Cyclones came out of the locker room on fire.
They drilled their first six 3-point attempts after the break - seven of their first eight, to be exact - and it wasn’t just the volume, it was the confidence. Milan Momcilovic hit three of them during the stretch, including a stepback, off-balance beauty that barely touched the net. Tamin Lipsey added a pair, and Jamarion Batemon pulled up from deep range to keep the run going.
By the time the dust settled, Iowa State had stretched the lead to 24 points with 12:04 left. They finished the second half shooting 57.1% (8-of-14) from deep, a complete turnaround from the first 20 minutes and a reminder that this team can heat up in a hurry.
5 - Cyclones in Double Figures
This wasn’t a one-man show. Iowa State had five players score in double digits, and that depth was key in a game where standout forward Joshua Jefferson battled foul trouble and logged just 26 minutes.
Jefferson still managed 11 points and delivered some key plays, including a block on Kansas standout Darryn Peterson. But the Cyclones didn’t miss a beat thanks to contributions across the board.
Dominykas Pleta and Blake Buchanan brought energy and physicality inside. Batemon gave the Cyclones a lift off the bench with 11 points.
Lipsey bounced back from a cold start to finish in double figures. And of course, Momcilovic led the way with 18, catching fire from deep when it mattered most.
This was a full-team performance - the kind that wins big games in February and builds confidence for March.
Bottom Line
Iowa State didn’t just beat Kansas. They imposed their will - with defense, with depth, and with a second-half shooting display that lit up Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones are now firmly in the Big 12 title conversation, and if they keep playing like this, they’re going to be a tough out for anyone.
The February gauntlet is far from over, but Iowa State just cleared a major hurdle - and they did it in style.