The Iowa State Cyclones faced No. 5 Houston on Saturday, suffering a hard-fought defeat with the final score of 68-59. Despite missing their top scorers, Keshon Gilbert and Curtis Jones, the Cyclones demonstrated resilience against the highly-ranked Cougars.
Houston dominated the floor with L.J. Cryer leading the charge, scoring 28 points, and Milos Uzan contributing 19 points. The duo combined for 18-of-27 shooting, making 8-of-12 from three-point range. Emanuel Sharp also chipped in 11 points for Houston, which now boasts a record of 23-4 overall and 15-1 within the Big 12.
Despite the absence of key players like Gilbert, who was sidelined with a muscle strain, and Jones, who was sick, Iowa State’s defensive efforts shone through. They managed to force Houston to commit 17 turnovers—a season-high for the Cougars—showing their grit and determination throughout the matchup.
Coach Kelvin Sampson of Houston praised the Cyclones, noting their competitive spirit even when missing two players. "When you're missing players, they just find a way to compete," he reflected post-game, acknowledging the Cyclones' consistent effort.
Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger also expressed pride in his team’s fighting spirit. “I’m really proud of how our guys continued to fight and the resiliency they demonstrated,” he remarked. The Cyclones trailed by as many as 16 points but didn’t back down. They executed a remarkable 18-3 run at one point, closing the gap to just one point late in the game.
Milan Momcilovic stood out for Iowa State with 16 of his total points coming in the second half. Nate Heise added 12 points, and Tamin Lipsey notched 11 points. Lipsey, who became Iowa State's all-time steals leader during the game, commented on the team's resolve, stating, "I feel like we showed a lot of fight. Obviously coming without Key and Curt, they mean a lot to this program and this team.”
Despite the loss, Iowa State’s performance signals positive momentum as they head toward postseason play. While the Cyclones experienced fluctuations due to injuries earlier this season, they’ve resumed their form, exemplified by their recent four-game winning streak leading up to this match.
This setback against Houston—an apparent frontrunner for the Final Four and national title contention—serves as another chapter rather than the end for Iowa State. Their road has been fraught with challenges, particularly as they watched Momcilovic recover from injury and now face obstacles with both Gilbert and Jones missing significant minutes.
Coach Otzelberger, who has built resilience within his squad, stated, “The thing I’m most proud of is we didn’t come in feeling like we were short-handed or anything likethat.” His focus remains on fostering competitive spirit and unity among the team, regardless of circumstances.
Looking forward, Iowa State is poised to bounce back as they continue through their Big 12 schedule. Upcoming matchups include Oklahoma State, presenting the Cyclones with another opportunity to demonstrate their tenacity and potential to compete at high levels.
With the NCAA Tournament selection committee watching closely, the Cyclones’ ability to fight against top-ranked opponents, even when shorthanded, speaks volumes about their character. They may not have come away with the win Saturday, but they solidified their fighting reputation—a quality integral to their success.
While this was a tough loss for Iowa State, there's no denying their ability to rise above challenges. The Cyclones are more than just their stats; they represent resilience, teamwork, and the spirit of competition.