AMES, Iowa – No. 8 Iowa State used a 10-0 run in the final three minutes to defeat UCF, 60-52, in a defensive battle Saturday afternoon at Addition Financial Arena.
The win moved the Cyclones to 5-4 away from home this season while improving to 23-6 overall and 12-4 in Big 12 action. UCF falls to 15-13 overall and 6-10 in league play.
The Cyclones overcame a sluggish offensive effort that included shooting just 33 percent from the field in the second half to earn the win.
ISU’s defense was stout once again, holding UCF to just 42.6 percent shooting and forcing 22 turnovers.
How It Happened
Iowa State went into the half with a 36-29 lead after forcing 14 first-half turnovers. The Cyclones converted the turnovers into 15 points.
After UCF cut the Cyclone lead to just two points at 27-25 with just over six minutes left in the half, ISU used a 7-0 run to gain some separation heading into the break. King made 5-of-6 field goals in the opening stanza to lead all scorers with 11 points.
The Cyclones got off to a slow start in the second half with just one field goal in the first seven minutes of the second half as UCF erased its halftime deficit and went ahead 39-38.
The Cyclones had a hard time getting anything going in the second half but hung in the game and were down just one, 48-47, at the under-8 timeout.
Robert Jones got a layup on ISU’s first possession out of the media timeout and the teams slugged it out with the Cyclones holding a one-point lead until C.J. Walker put back his own miss and UCF jumped back in front, 50-49.
Curtis Jones sank a pair of free throws and UCF came up empty on its end. Milan Momcilovic drilled a jumper and the Cyclones forced a turnover leading to a Gilbert layup and free throw, giving ISU a 56-50 edge.
The Cyclones iced the game at the free-throw line on its way to the win in the first meeting between the schools.
Top Performers
The Cyclones used a balanced attack to earn the win. King finished with 16 points, while Momcilovic, Keshon Gilbert and Curtis Jones added 11 points.
UCF was led by Jaylin Sellers, who scored 13 points in the loss.
Up Next
The Cyclones look to finish off a perfect season at Hilton Coliseum when they host BYU Wednesday at 7 p.m. The game will be on ESPN+.
