As Iowa State clung on to a 67-61 lead late against Oklahoma State on Saturday, it’s the Cyclones’ defense and rebounding that carried them through to a 73-66 victory over the Cowboys.

While the Cyclones (12-6, 2-1 Big 12) struggled to score points inside of four minutes on the offensive end, Wesley Johnson pulled down a tough defensive board and steal on consecutive possessions. On the next possession, Jiri Hubalek dove on the floor for a loose ball after Alex Thompson blocked Obi Muonelo, just a possession after getting called on a foul going for an offensive rebound on the other side of the floor, much to the dismay of himself and the Hilton crowd.

Hubalek then called a time-out from his back, and stood up to let out a yell of joy as the 13,499 fans at Hilton Coliseum showed their appreciation.

“I really thought we were the aggressor the second half and we made the hustle plays… it was good at a time that we missed the front end of two one-and-ones, sometimes it can be a little deflating,” ISU coach Greg McDermott said. “Fortunately for us we did not let it affect us and we got down to business on the defensive end.”

In a game that saw Johnson break out for 24 points and had four Cyclones score in double figures, it was the defense that helped Iowa State hold on against Oklahoma State (10-7, 1-2).

After giving up 40 to the Cowboys in the first half and trailing by five at half-time, Iowa State made the half-time adjustments McDermott knew to be crucial to staying in the game.

“We came out with more intensity,” forward Rahshon Clark said. “Coach told us in the locker room that we weren’t playing how we played against Missouri, and that was true. He told us to go out there locked in, and play like we did against Missouri, and we did.”

OSU guard Terrel Harris scored 13 in the first half, but after Clark switched to cover him, he was held to only four points in the second half.

McDermott also credited Alex Thompson’s defensive effort. Thompson didn’t take a shot in the game, but came up with five rebounds, three blocks and a steal.

“It’s just something I try to focus on when I get onto the court – just defend and rebound and play hard and try to move my feet,” Thompson said. “Coach has been working on me getting a lower stance, and I’m just finally starting to figure out that it really does help to get low and move your feet.”

Meanwhile, Johsnon lit up the Cowboys on the offensive end. A three-point play early in the second half gave the Cyclones a 46-43 lead, and a three pointer minutes later pushed the lead up to 52-48. Johsnon also helped keep the Cyclones in the game after falling down 33-23 in the first half, Oklahoma State’s largest lead.

“Wes is a great player. His heart is always in the game, he doesn’t like to lose, just like everybody else. Wes is going to give it everything he has when he gets on the court, and we never say that he won’t,” Clark said.

A wild first half saw Clark called for a technical foul following an elbowing match with Martavius Adams during a Brackins free throw. After an alley-oop from Oklahoma State’s Byron Eaton to James Anderson, McDermott had words with an official leading to a team technical.

“Rahshon and I both let our emotions get away from us, and that was four points for them that shouldn’t happen and hopefully won’t happen again,” McDermott said.

Iowa State will next travel to Kansas to take on the undefeated No. 3 Jayhawks on Wednesday.