Cyclone fans held their collective breath as two Texas Tech game-winning 3-point attempts bounced off the rim in the final five seconds of Iowa State’s 78-76 victory over the Red Raiders in front of 11,876 fans at Hilton Coliseum on Saturday afternoon.

The sound of the final horn ended the home careers of Iowa State’s three seniors who all played significant roles in the victory.

“They deserve to go out like this. I’m happy for our team — I’m really happy for those three,” said head coach Greg McDermott.

Although Iowa State was leading most of the game, Texas Tech had two chances to win the game at the end with two open looks in the chaotic final seconds of the game. John Roberson had an open 3-point shot in the right corner and the long rebound bounced right into the hands of Mike Singletary, who was wide open at the top of the key.

“I felt like I was running around with my head cut off, just trying to find the ball and thank God they missed it too,” said senior guard Bryan Petersen. “Hilton Magic was guarding him maybe I don’t know.”

Senior forward Alex Thompson who had fouled out minutes before had to watch the final shots from the bench.

“I don’t know how he got so open in the corner but I almost just wanted to run out there from the bench,” Thompson said.

McDermott started the three seniors, even though Thompson and guard Sean Haluska usually come off the bench. His decision paid great dividends, as the team played its best when all three were on the court.

Peterson saved his best performance as a Cyclone for his last game in front of the Hilton faithful. He scored a career-high 20 points, making six 3-pointers. He already had a season-high 15 points in the first half.

Haluska also played one of his best games of the season although his five points don’t jump off the page. He played a team-high 35 minutes and spent most of that chasing the Red Raiders’ leading scorer Alan Voskuil.

Voskuil was coming off a 37-point game in Texas Tech’s upset win over Kansas, but Haluska held him to three points.

“It’s not because [Voskuil] played bad today, it’s just that Sean Haluska didn’t give him any clean looks at the basket,” McDermott said.

Craig Brackins led the Cyclones in scoring again with his usual 21 points and 14 rebounds. Texas Tech was led by Roberson with 23 points.

Both teams shot the ball well the entire game, shooting above 44 percent from the field.

The Cyclones also did a terrific job taking care of the basketball, committing a season-low five turnovers.

Saturday’s contest was a battle for tenth place as both teams came in sporting an identical 3-12 conference record. The Cyclones now claim the No. 10 seed in the conference tournament next week in Oklahoma City.

The joy and emotion shown on the floor by the Cyclones was something that hasn’t been seen often this season.

“We haven’t had a lot go our way this year,” McDermott said.

An exhausted Petersen raised his arms in the air and pointed to the crowd moments after the final Texas Tech harmlessly hit the floor.

“I feel like a lot of times this whole year those shots have been going in for the other team and for finally for somebody to miss one of those.” he said.