Iowa State’s men’s basketball team has had a soap opera feeling about it for the past three weeks. Saturday’s regular-season finale from Hilton Coliseum saw a newly-energized Cyclones team shoot 50 percent from the floor in the first half against Texas Tech.

Iowa State was unable to deny the Red Raiders a chance at an outright Big 12 title in a 80-73 loss, continuing a poor stretch of play.

Senior Marial Shayok suited up after being a game-time decision with a toe injury, and he started strong by hitting two early 3-pointers. After an 8-0 run to start the game from the Cyclones, Texas Tech made it a back-and-forth half, led by potential NBA Draft pick Jarret Culver. 

Iowa State held a 36-34 halftime lead, and freshman Talen Horton-Tucker led the Cyclones with 10 first-half points off the bench (senior Zoran Talley Jr. got the start). 

Texas Tech held control in the second half with big shots from Culver and Davide Moretti giving the Red Raiders a 51-45 lead with 13:22 to play. The Cyclones closed the gap to 57-54 by the under-8 timeout and tied the game at 65, but didn’t have enough at the end to pull off the upset. 

Redshirt senior guard Marial Shayok and sophomore guard Lindell Wigginton led the Cyclones with 17 points apiece.

Iowa State falls to 20-11 on the season, 9-9 in the Big 12 and has lost six of eight heading into the Big 12 Tournament.