ORLANDO, Fla. — Keshon Gilbert contributed significantly to Iowa State’s victory by scoring 15 points, while Joshua Jefferson added 13 points and secured eight rebounds, guiding the No. 10 Cyclones to a 77-65 triumph over UCF on Tuesday evening.
Tamin Lipsey also made his mark on the game with 11 points, and Curtis Jones came off the bench to chip in another 10 for Iowa State, now boasting a record of 19-5 and 9-4 in Big 12 play.
On the other side, Keyshawn Hall was the standout performer for the Knights, tallying 22 points along with eight rebounds, while Mikey Williams provided 14 points off the bench.
Iowa State, known for their scoring prowess, showcased a robust defense against UCF, limiting them to just 41.5% shooting from the floor and a dismal 23.1% from beyond the arc, with only six successful three-pointers out of 26 attempts.
Key takeaways from the game include Iowa State successfully moving past a tough three-game losing streak, following an impressive 30-point home win over TCU last weekend. Conversely, UCF’s NCAA Tournament aspirations appear to be dwindling as they have lost their fifth consecutive game, failing to secure a victory against ranked opponents this season, finishing 0-5 against them with no further matches against ranked teams remaining.
A pivotal moment came during the second half when Iowa State consistently countered UCF’s scoring efforts. Following a 3-pointer from Mikey Williams, Nate Heise responded with a three of his own, helping to extend Iowa State’s lead into double digits. Midway through the half, a missed layup by UCF guard Darius Johnson led to a fast break for Gilbert, pushing Iowa State’s advantage to 11 points.
Statistically, despite UCF’s 7-foot center, Moustapha Thiam, Iowa State excelled in the paint. The Cyclones snatched 11 offensive rebounds, leading to 15 crucial second-chance points, while also edging out the Knights 38-34 in points scored in the paint.
Looking ahead, Iowa State will return to their home court on Saturday to face Cincinnati, while UCF will travel to Colorado for their upcoming game on the same day.
