Cyclones Run Jayhawks Off the Floor in Ames With Second-Half Surge
AMES, Iowa - Throwback jerseys, throwback vibes - and a throwdown in Ames. Saturday’s matchup between No.
9 Kansas and No. 5 Iowa State started as a gritty, old-school slugfest.
But after about 13 minutes of back-and-forth trench warfare, the Cyclones flipped the switch. Kansas never found the answer.
Fueled by a decisive 20-2 run in just over five minutes, Iowa State broke the game open late in the first half and never looked back. The Cyclones poured in six straight threes to open the second half and cruised to a commanding 74-56 win at Hilton Coliseum, snapping Kansas’ eight-game win streak and handing the Jayhawks their fourth straight loss in Ames.
This one wasn’t just a win - it was a statement. And it may have serious implications for the Big 12 title race.
Cyclones Bring the Heat, Jayhawks Left Searching
Kansas actually struck first. A lob dunk from Flory Bidunga and a smooth stepback jumper from Darryn Peterson gave the Jayhawks an early spark. But that would be about it for the fireworks from Bill Self’s squad.
From there, both teams slogged through a cold, defensive opening stretch. At the under-12 timeout, they’d combined for just 12 points - Kansas shooting 3-of-8, Iowa State 3-of-14. It was physical, it was messy, and it felt like every bucket had to be earned twice over.
But Iowa State started to figure things out, and Kansas didn’t adjust. The Cyclones began to trap and pressure KU’s ball-handlers in the corners, forcing turnovers and disrupting any offensive rhythm. Kansas coughed up 10 turnovers in the first half alone and gave up eight offensive rebounds - the kind of self-inflicted wounds you just can’t survive on the road in Big 12 play.
Council, Bidunga Shine, But It’s Not Enough
Melvin Council Jr. did what he could to keep Kansas afloat. He scored 15 points on an efficient clip, including a trio of first-half threes that briefly gave the Jayhawks a lead. He also connected with Bidunga for a pair of lobs that showed flashes of the offensive potential Kansas had coming into the game.
Bidunga added an 11-point, 13-rebound double-double, battling on the glass and finishing around the rim. But with Peterson still shaking off the rust after an illness - he finished with 10 points in 24 minutes - the Jayhawks lacked their usual punch.
And when Iowa State turned up the pressure, Kansas didn’t have the depth or cohesion to respond.
Momcilovic Finds His Rhythm, Cyclones Pour It On
After a quiet first half, Milan Momcilovic came alive - and once he did, there was no stopping him. The sharpshooting forward, one of the country’s most dangerous perimeter threats, drilled four threes in the second half and finished with 18 points. His range, confidence, and shot-making gave the Cyclones the cushion they needed.
But this wasn’t a one-man show. Iowa State got 11 points apiece from Jamarion Batemon, Blake Buchanan, Joshua Jefferson, and Tamin Lipsey. It was a balanced, team-first effort - the kind that makes this Cyclones group so dangerous in March.
Lipsey’s floor general play, Buchanan’s hustle on the boards, and Jefferson’s versatility were all on display. And when the Cyclones hit six of their first six threes after halftime, the roof nearly came off Hilton Coliseum.
Kansas’ Rally Comes Up Short
To their credit, Kansas didn’t fold. Elmarko Jackson took the reins for a stretch in the second half, helping the Jayhawks cut the deficit to 15 with eight minutes to go. Council’s dunk made it 65-50, and there was a flicker of hope.
But just as quickly, Iowa State snuffed it out. Nate Heise buried a three, and the Cyclones kept Kansas at arm’s length the rest of the way. Even with KU leaning on reserves like Jayden Dawson and Kohl Rosario late, the offense couldn’t find enough rhythm to mount a serious comeback.
Buchanan’s emphatic dunk with two minutes left was the exclamation point.
What’s Next
The loss drops Kansas to 19-6 overall and 9-3 in Big 12 play - still very much in the mix, but now with less margin for error. The Jayhawks will look to bounce back Wednesday night in Stillwater against Oklahoma State, a team that’s struggled in conference play but nearly knocked off TCU in an overtime thriller.
For Iowa State, this was more than a win. It was a flex - a showcase of depth, defense, and second-half dominance. And if they keep shooting like this, the Cyclones might just be the team to beat in the Big 12.