The Iowa State Cyclones made quite the statement Saturday afternoon, defeating the 25th-ranked Baylor Bears 74-55 at Hilton Coliseum. The victory, marking the Cyclones' ninth straight win, showcases their dominance as they celebrated their Big 12 home opener.
Ranked third nationally, Iowa State brought its A-game, improving to 12-1 overall and 2-0 within the conference. Keshon Gilbert led the Cyclones with 16 points and 10 rebounds, recording his first double-double of the season. Milan Momcilovic added 15 points, hitting four 3-pointers, and Curtis Jones contributed 14 points off the bench.
Baylor, on the other hand, struggled on the court, shooting just 29.7% from the field and falling to 9-4 overall and 1-1 in the Big 12. The Bears were playing without two key players, Langston Love and Jalen Celestine, limiting their rotation to just seven players. Jeremy Roach was one standout for Baylor, scoring 16 points, but it couldn't be enough to salvage the game.
The Cyclones wasted no time establishing their dominance, jumping out to a 6-0 lead within the first seconds. They quickly extended their lead to double digits just five minutes later, leading 18-8 after Gilbert’s layup. Despite Baylor's effort, which included 10 offensive rebounds to keep them within range, the team struggled with poor shooting percentages, hitting only 28% during the first half.
Despite their challenges, the Bears managed to narrow the gap to eight points before halftime, but Iowa State remained relentless. The Cyclones went to the locker room with a comfortable 33-25 lead after hitting 48% of their shots, including 40% from beyond the arc.
After halftime, Iowa State quickly pushed their lead to double digits again as they extended their dominance, ensuring Baylor never brought the lead below nine points again. Iowa State's defense was suffocative throughout, consistently forcing the Bears out of their rhythm, particularly affecting key players like Norchad Omier, who was held to only nine points on 3-of-11 shooting.
An 11-0 run from Iowa State late in the second half sealed Baylor’s fate, pushing their lead to 24 points and leaving the Bears without options for comeback. Joshua Jefferson, brandishing his playmaking abilities with eight assists, complemented Gilbert’s performance to drive home the Cyclones' systematic dismantling of Baylor.
This game was significant not only for its immediate results on the standings but also historically. The 19-point margin of victory is the second-largest for Iowa State against a top 25 opponent at home. This win also improved Iowa State’s record to 10-0 at home against ranked teams.
With the home fans roaring, the Cyclones honored their historic 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 championship teams at halftime, providing inspiration and nostalgia to both players and fans alike. T.J. Otzelberger’s team is not just performing excellently; they are also laying the groundwork for what could be another historic season.
Baylor will look to regroup quickly as they prepare to face the 16th-ranked Cincinnati Bearcats on Tuesday, January 7, marking yet another challenging matchup. Similarly, the Cyclones will host Utah on the same day, eager to keep their winning streak going and build upon their impressive start to the Big 12 season.