Norman, Okla. – Iowa State (11-3, 0-1 Big 12) dropped Saturday’s Big 12 opener at No. 11 Oklahoma (13-1, 1-0 Big 12), falling to the Sooners by a score of 71-63.
The Cyclones trailed for the majority of the contest, holding just a one point lead twice late in the second half for a total of 21 seconds of game time.
Three Cyclones finished in double figures on the evening, as Robert Jones, Milan Momcilovic and Hason Ward each had 12-point outings. Ward was 6-7 from the field and was tied for the team-lead in rebounds with seven in just 18 minutes of action as he continues to be integrated back into the lineup following his foot injury.
Oklahoma really worked to take away Iowa State’s dynamic backcourt – each of which has a triple-double on the season – holding both Tamin Lipsey and Keshon Gilbert under a combined 10 points and forcing both to foul out of the contest.
The Sooners had four score in double figures, led by Javian McCollum with 15. McCollum and the Sooners shot 40 percent from deep compared to Iowa State’s 18.8, making 10 3-balls on the day.
How It Happened
It was a slow start in the 2024 Big 12 Conference opener, as OU led just 7-4 at the first media timeout with 14:29 on the first half clock. ISU struggled to get much going, owning just eight points through the first 11 minutes of play.
Oklahoma’s first-half lead stretched to as large as eight by the two-minute mark as it held a 30-22 advantage. Iowa State would go into the break down six, 32-26, with Ward leading the way with six points. R. Jones had a team-high six boards at the break to go along with four points.
The Cyclones came out of the break focused, ripping off six straight points to knot the game at 32-all just 1:46 into the second stanza thanks to baskets from Gilbert, Momcilovic and R. Jones.
The Sooners had answers and quickly reestablished a six-point lead by the 15-minute mark. Every ISU basket seemed to be answered by OU as physicality and basket-making were matched on each side.
ISU would battle back to tie the game at 45 apiece by the 10-minute mark only to see Oklahoma take back a six-point lead. With ISU trailing 49-55, a quick 7-0 run – a Ward dunk, Momcilovic three and a R. Jones floater – gave Iowa State its first lead of the game at the 4:47 mark.
OU would retake the lead on a pair of free throws from Otega Oweh only to see Momcilovic answer on the other end with two free throws of his own to give the Cyclones the edge. From there, however, Oklahoma closed the game on a 14-5 run to earn its first conference win of the season.
Top Performer
Ward continued to show why he’s such an important piece for the Cyclones, as his efficient night, combined with him being tied for the team-lead in both points and rebounds, really kept the Cyclones in the game. Ward also threw in one of the most athletic finishes of the season, chasing his own free throw miss to posterize an Oklahoma player.
