The Lowdown

For the first time in 19 tries, Iowa State has won in Gallager-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla., as No. 16 Iowa State held on against No. 19 Oklahoma State in a triple-overtime thriller, 98-97.

First it was Naz Long with 1.4 seconds left in double-overtime to tie, then it was Iowa State’s freshman Monte Morris in triple overtime who hit the biggest 3-pointer of his career in the corner to put Iowa State ahead 96-95 with 39.5 seconds left. 

From there Naz Long — who hadn’t played the entire game until he subbed in to hit his game-tying triple — hit a pair of free throws to put Iowa State up 98-95. Oklahoma State scored on a dunk to cut it to one, then Iowa State turned the inbound pass over giving Oklahoma State a chance to win the game. 

Marcus Smart missed his shot and was rebounded by Hogue who was called for a jump ball. Then the Cowboys’ last-chance shot from Nash didn’t fall and Iowa State won 98-97, giving them their biggest NCAA tournament resume-builder to date. 

Turning Point

There were almost too many to count in a triple-overtime game. From Naz Long’s game-tying 3-pointer in double-overtime, to Monte Morris’ triple from the corner to give Iowa State the final lead of the game, to Naz Long hitting the biggest two free throws of his career to give Iowa State its last points and a 98-95 lead before ultimately winning 98-97.

X Factor

DeAndre Kane — Coming into the game, it was anticipated to be a matchup of giants with DeAndre Kane and Marcus Smart and it lived up to the expectations. 

Kane flirted with a triple-double and finished with 26 points on 10-of-22 shooting with nine rebounds and nine assists, playing with four fouls through double and triple overtime. 

By The Numbers

29 — Melvin Ejim tallied his 29th career double-double on the night. 

4 — Ejim also moves into the No. 4 spot all-time in ISU history with a total of 918 rebounds. 

18 — The Cyclones had lost 18-straight to Oklahoma State before Monday night’s 98-97 win.  

1 — The number of 3-pointer Oklahoma State’s Phil Forte was held to. He was averaging nearly three per game and was shooting 48 percent. Monte Morris chased him around the entire night limiting him offensively.

1988 — The last time Iowa State had won in Stillwater, Okla., against Oklahoma State.