Cyclones Dominate Despite Jefferson's Injury Scare
In a thrilling NCAA tournament opener, Iowa State showcased their offensive prowess against Tennessee State, despite an early scare involving their star player, Joshua Jefferson. Just two and a half minutes into the game, Jefferson, a consensus All-American, awkwardly hit the floor, leaving fans at the Enterprise Center holding their breath. With crutches and a boot, Jefferson watched from the sidelines as his team soared to a 108-74 victory, setting a school record for points in an NCAA tournament game.
Head coach T.J. Otzelberger reassured everyone post-game, stating that Jefferson's x-rays were negative and they would reassess his sprained left ankle in the coming days.
Even without Jefferson, the Cyclones (28-7, 12-6 Big 12) were unstoppable. Their offense fired on all cylinders, particularly during a stunning 23-0 run that blew the game open early.
Dante Harris had briefly cut Iowa State’s lead to two with a layup, but the Cyclones responded with a flurry of points, led by Milan Momcilovic and Nate Heise, who combined for 16 points during the run. Killyan Toure was a force, posting a career-high 25 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
Heise was electric off the bench, contributing 22 points as Iowa State's reserves outscored Tennessee State's bench 50-6. By halftime, the Cyclones had built a commanding 55-29 lead, with Toure capping the first half in style.
The second half saw more of the same from Iowa State. Momcilovic's late bucket pushed the Cyclones past the century mark, giving them a 38-point lead, their largest of the game. Eric Mulder's emphatic dunk sealed the scoring for Iowa State, while Damon Howard Jr. hit a late three-pointer for Tennessee State.
Shooting an impressive 52.7% from the field and hitting 11 three-pointers, Iowa State’s offensive efficiency was on full display. Tennessee State struggled to keep pace, shooting 43% from the field and just 5-of-11 from beyond the arc.
Looking ahead, Iowa State will face No. 7 seeded Kentucky, a team they have yet to defeat in three previous encounters, with the last two meetings occurring in the NCAA Tournament.
With their high-octane offense and depth, the Cyclones have set a strong tone for the tournament, leaving fans eagerly anticipating their next matchup.