Cyclones Cruise Into Round of 32

Courtesy of Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Milwaukee, Wis - Not too far from home, the Cyclones looked to get their third win in the opening round in four years. The Lipscomb Bisons were the only thing standing in the way. The A-Sun champs looked to continue their hot streak and volume shooting against the Cyclones. Without senior guard Keshon Gilbert, Iowa State would look to rely on other avenues to advance in the tournament.

First Half

To start the game, both teams began to show their teeth on offense. The Bisons relied heavily on perimeter shooting to keep them in the game, while the Cyclones flashed in the paint. The Cyclone guards would play a huge factor in the beginning, as junior Tamin Lipsey and senior Curtis Jones controlled the offense, having their way to the basket. The Bisons looked to seniors Jacob Ognacevic and Gyasi Powell to make shots to give them sparks on offense. The issue was the Cyclones had a spark of their own to split the game open, sophomore forward Milan Momcilovic. Not far from his hometown in Pewaukee, Momcilovic helped lead a 14-0 run thanks to a pair of threes, and iso work in the mid range. Between the run, and the hounding defense forcing late and contested shots, the Cyclones found themselves up 40-24 at the half.

• Team shooting 60% from the field at half

• Dominating paint points 26-6

• Momcilovic leading the team with 17 points

Second Half

Rolling into the second, it was more of the same for both teams. The Cyclones looked to force turnovers and create high volume pressure on the Bisons offensive possessions. Poor shooting from the Bisons continued, as their usual offense was shut down. The Cyclones however, continued to find their way into the paint and shoot the ball well from the perimeter. Junior forward Joshua Jefferson became a big asset offensively finding his teammates on multiple possessions, while Jones led the point. The defense to offense gave the Cyclones a 30-point cushion at one point in the second half. Ultimately proving why they are still a force despite the absence of a starter, winning 82-55 against the 14-seed Bisons.

• Cyclones finished with 50 points in the paint (Lipscomb 20)

• Plus 12 in rebounding with 35

• Shot 58% from the field

• Forced the Bisons into 17 turnovers (they average 9.5 per game)

This is the biggest margin of victory in the NCAA Tournament for the Cyclones in school history at 27.

The Guys

Milan Momcilovic - 20 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 4-8 3-pt

Curtis Jones - 17 points, 2 assists, 2 steals

Joshua Jefferson - 10 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks

The Cyclones head into the next round on Sunday against the winner of UNC/Ole Miss, time TBA.