The last time Kansas and Iowa State clashed, the Cyclones had just suffered their first conference loss of the season.

The Jayhawks pulled out a close game, 71-66, to make it two conference losses for Iowa State. When the teams meet on Saturday in Lawrence, the Cyclones look to give Kansas the same treatment.

No. 2 Kansas suffered its first conference loss Monday at Texas Tech, losing 80-79 in double overtime, dropping its record to 20-2, 10-1 in conference.

Iowa State (14-8, 6-5 Big 12) is above .500 in the conference for the first time all season. The Cyclones have answered a six-game losing streak by putting together a winning streak by that same number.

Head coach Wayne Morgan said the turnaround can be credited to the team’s young players stepping up, as freshmen Tasheed Carr and Rahshon Clark have added a threat beyond the big three of Jared Homan, Will Blalock and Curtis Stinson. Morgan also said the team has finally clicked with each other, after struggling with team chemistry early in the season.

“I also think people have a better understanding of their roles,” he added. “People early on were trying to figure out ‘What am I supposed to do?'”

On Tuesday, Iowa State’s defense held Kansas State to just 19 points before half time, the fourth opponent they have held under 20 in the first half this season.

Clark said it is important for the team to carry its success into the game in Lawrence.

“The first half [against Kansas State] was the best half we’ve ever played,” he said. “We’ve been trying to carry that over to every game … as best we can.”

The Jayhawks are led by Wayne Simien, who leads the conference in scoring, averaging 18.8 points per game, and rebounds with 11 per game.

The Cyclones have three starters averaging double figures, with Stinson, Homan and Blalock averaging 17.2, 13.0 and 12.6 points per game, respectively.

Morgan said Iowa State’s new-found chemistry should benefit the team against Kansas.

“We’re playing better,” he said. “Each player has a pretty good idea what the other guy is going to do, where he is and what he can and can’t do.”

Since the last meeting between Kansas and Iowa State, the Cyclones are 6-3, outscoring their opponents 622-567. They have continued to protect the ball well, logging 16 assists and 14 turnovers against the Wildcats. It is the 12th time in 15 games the Cyclones have recorded more assists than steals.

Carr said he is confident the Cyclones can hand the Jayhawks their second straight loss.

“We feel like we’ve got a great chance to win anywhere,” he said. “We’re extremely confident that we can go in there and win the game, no matter what the circumstances are.”

— Josh Madden contributed to this article