Cyclones Dominate Arizona State in Big 12 Tournament Opener
If Iowa State continues to play like they did against Arizona State, this postseason could be a memorable one for the Cyclones. In a commanding display, Iowa State crushed the Sun Devils 91-42, with center Blake Buchanan posting a season-high 17 points. Senior forward Joshua Jefferson was the standout, leading with 20 points and snagging 12 rebounds, his second-best performance on the boards this season.
The Cyclones' defense was relentless, forcing Arizona State into 23 turnovers, which translated into 25 points on the other end. This victory propels Iowa State into the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals, where they'll face No. 4 seed Texas Tech.
Setting the Tone Early
From the opening tip, Iowa State's defense was on a mission, quickly building an 11-point lead within the first eight minutes. They forced eight turnovers on Arizona State’s initial 12 possessions, converting these into nine points. By the time Jamarion Batemon added two more from the line, the Cyclones were up 14-6.
The defensive pressure was palpable, with two steals and a forced five-second violation, putting Arizona State on their heels. Iowa State's aggression on the offensive glass was equally impressive, grabbing six offensive rebounds before the first media timeout and converting them into five second-chance points.
Coach T.J. Otzelberger’s philosophy of defense fueling offense was on full display. After a slow shooting start, going 1-of-6, the Cyclones found their rhythm, hitting 6-of-8 shots to boost their field goal percentage to 50% by the under-12 timeout.
Another Dominant Run
Iowa State’s ability to string together runs was evident once more. They embarked on an 18-0 run, extending it to 23-2, with Jefferson capping it off with a three-point play. By halftime, Arizona State was struggling, shooting just 6-of-21 and committing 15 turnovers, matching Iowa State's season-high forced in a half.
The Cyclones were suffocating, forcing turnovers on over 45% of Arizona State's possessions, leaving the Sun Devils with more turnovers than made field goals by halftime.
Cruising to Victory
With a comfortable 29-point lead at halftime, Iowa State maintained control throughout the second half. Their defense continued to stifle Arizona State, forcing more turnovers than field goals allowed early in the half.
Offensively, Jefferson remained aggressive, scoring eight of the Cyclones' first 16 points in the half. Milan Momcilovic added to the lead, sinking three triples, pushing Iowa State’s advantage to 39 points with under 10 minutes left.
Looking Ahead
Next up, Iowa State takes on Texas Tech in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals. The Cyclones will be looking to avenge their only home loss of the season, an 82-73 defeat to the Red Raiders. In that game, Texas Tech’s perimeter shooting was a thorn in Iowa State’s side, with Donovan Atwell leading the charge.
However, Texas Tech will be without their star interior presence, JT Toppin, due to a season-ending injury. As the No. 4 seed, the Red Raiders will pose a challenge, but Iowa State’s current form suggests they’re more than ready for the battle.