Cyclones' Resounding Road Triumph
Statistical Overview of Iowa State's Dominant Performance
The Iowa State basketball team embarked on their inaugural visit to the Jon M. Huntsman Center, emerging victorious with a decisive 75-59 win over the Utah Utes. The Cyclones established an early lead and maintained control throughout the contest.
First Half Dominance and Second Half Control
Iowa State built a substantial 41-31 lead by halftime, effectively widening the gap in the latter half of the game. Key contributors to this success included Joshua Jefferson, who led all scorers with 21 points, complemented by six rebounds and three assists. Milan Momcilovic added 14 points, while Jamarion Batemon contributed 13 points from the bench. Blake Buchanan also reached double figures with 10 points.
Milan Momcilovic Sets New Single-Season Three-Point Record
Milan Momcilovic made history for Iowa State, breaking the program's single-season record for three-pointers. He entered the game with 100 three-pointers and surpassed the previous record of 102, held by Dedric Willoughby since the 1996-97 season, with his third three-pointer of the night. Momcilovic concluded the game with 14 points, hitting 4-of-8 from beyond the arc, and now holds the new record of 104 three-pointers, with additional games remaining to further extend his lead.
Utah's Extended Shooting Slump in the Second Half
Despite staying competitive for a period, the Utes suffered a critical nine-minute shooting drought in the second half, which allowed the Cyclones to solidify their double-digit advantage. Following a dunk by Keanu Dawes that cut the deficit to 45-40, Utah missed seven consecutive field goal attempts. Although they managed some free throws, their inability to convert from the floor proved costly. Dawes eventually ended the slump with a three-pointer, but by then, Iowa State's lead was insurmountable.
Utah's Turnovers Fuel Iowa State's Offense
The Cyclones capitalized on Utah's mistakes, forcing 18 turnovers and converting them into 20 points. This marked a significant improvement from their previous game, where they recorded 11 turnovers but only eight points from their opponent's errors. Iowa State, conversely, demonstrated excellent ball control, committing only nine turnovers throughout the game.
Jamarion Batemon's Impressive Bench Contribution
First-year guard Jamarion Batemon continued his ascent, proving to be a vital asset off the bench for the Cyclones. Following a strong performance against BYU, where he scored 14 points and grabbed two steals in 19 minutes, Batemon delivered another impactful game. He scored 13 points and added two steals in 23 minutes, achieving consecutive double-digit scoring performances for the first time this season. His efforts extended beyond scoring, as he also displayed relentless hustle and strong defensive play, earning a team-high plus-minus rating of +23.
Utah's Inefficient Second-Half Shooting
Iowa State's robust defense limited the Utes to just 59 points, marking the fourth occasion this season they've held a Big 12 opponent to 60 points or fewer. Utah's shooting efficiency plummeted in the second half, where they managed only 8-of-21 overall (38.1%) and a mere 2-for-8 from beyond the arc after the intermission. While Keanu Dawes contributed significantly, shooting 4-of-8 in the second half, the rest of his teammates struggled, combining for only 4-for-13 shooting during the same period.