No. 7 Iowa State outlasts Baylor

Despite scoring zero points over the final 2:12, No. 7 Iowa State earned a 72-69 victory over Baylor on Saturday. The Bears went on an 11-0 run over the final 1:45 of the game.

The Cyclones, who went scoreless over the final 2:12, kept the Bears – and their 11-0 run over the final 1:45 of the game – at bay. 

Iowa State led the game for 30:05, were tied with Baylor for 4:54 and trailed for five minutes.

Iowa State (21-2, 8-2 Big 12) secured the win with a strong presence in the paint, scoring 24 points in the second half – as many as Baylor had all game – and a 37-25 advantage on the glass. Senior guard and Ames native Tamin Lipsey had a game high nine rebounds, including four offensive rebounds, also a game high.

“Tamin today was just phenomenal,” Iowa State head coach T. J. Otzelberger said on Cyclone Radio Network following the game. “He was all over the place, continuously, and he’s such a winner. He’s so tough, he’s so competitive. 
He cares so much about his teammates, this program, this community, this university and there’s no way he shows it more by those plays that he makes out there time and time again. It’s great to see, and so proud of him.”

Baylor (13-10, 3-8 Big 12) kept the game close with 11 3-point baskets, five of which were connected on by Cameron Carr who scored a game high 24 points.

Milan Momcilovic scored 21 points to lead the Cyclones on 6-for-11 shooting from the floor and 7-of-7 shooting at the free throw line. Joshua Jefferson contributed 15 points, while recording five rebounds and four assists. 

Nate Heise tallied eight points, making two from beyond the arc. Earlier on Saturday, his sister Taylor scored one of the five goals for Team USA hockey in their win over Finland.

The Cyclones opened the first half with a six points off two field goals and two free throws. Baylor responded with a 7-2 run by the under 16 media timeout was called. Iowa State’s 19-13 lead with 11:33 remaining in the first half evaporated in 87 seconds following a pair of Carr 3-point baskets. 

The Bears found their largest lead of the game, 27-24, at the 7:23 mark of the first half following a Tounde Yessoufou 3-point basket. Yessoufou made two from distance on the day.

The 31st overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, James Nnaji, scored zero points and pulled down three rebounds in nine minutes of play for Baylor.

As the first half progressed, the Cyclones found success in the paint, scoring 14 points, and capitalizing on turnovers, adding 10 points. 

Iowa State extended their lead to a game high 15 with 3:05 remaining in the second half. From the field, the Cyclones shot exactly 50% (27-of-50)

Despite a response from Baylor, Iowa State maintained their edge. The Cyclones concluded the game with a successful inbounds pass, sealing the 72-69. 

Iowa State will be back in action on Tuesday to challenge Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, beginning at 8 p.m.