At this time last year, the idea of Cam Lard and Lindell Wigginton providing a spark for Iowa State off the bench would have elicited looks of confusion and bewilderment. 

But that’s the reality Iowa State finds itself in: two of its top players from last season are bench players, three months into the 2018-19 season. This may be a temporary arrangement — Wigginton could be in the starting lineup sooner than later, and Lard might as well by season’s end — but on Saturday, the Cyclones were able to use the team’s depth to their advantage.

Lard and Wigginton looked like their 2017-18 selves against Oklahoma State, picking up 26 points off the bench in a combined 39 minutes. The 26 points were the entirety of Iowa State’s bench production for the night, but it was enough to help push the Cyclones to a 72-59 win.

it was Lard’s first game back from an ankle injury that caused the redshirt sophomore to miss the past week’s contests against Kansas State and Texas Tech. The result? Twelve points, five rebounds and three blocked shots in 14 minutes.

Lard brought his signature energy, roaring after dunks and blocked shots and bringing the crowd into a frenzy with a buzzer-beating slam dunk at the end of the first half.

Lard feels he can make an impact off the bench with Wigginton.

“With me and Lindell coming off the bench, I think that’s big-time,” Lard said. “That’s going to be hard to scout.”

As for Wigginton, it looked like a corner was turned for the sophomore. 

Shooting 28.6 percent from three headed into Saturday’s game, Wigginton buried two straight from deep right after entering the game for the first time. Overall, he hit 4-of-7 3-point attempts and shot 5-for-8 from the floor en route to a 14-point, three-assist outing. 

Wigginton said he’s getting into a rhythm after the past two games. 

“I felt good going into the Texas Tech game,” Wigginton said. “It’s just trying to keep my confidence up.

“It’s been tough with my situation, coming off injury and missing a lot of games, but my teammates and coaches just tell me to stick with it, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”

Wigginton and Lard were two of the four Cyclones to reach double figures on Saturday, led by senior guard Marial Shayok’s ninth game this season with 20-plus points (he had 20 against the Cowboys). 

Coach Steve Prohm was impressed by the two’s contributions, and mentioned how crucial it was for Iowa State to keep their performances up. 

“We need [Lard] to be at his best,” Prohm said. “I thought the second half he was really good.”

Prohm added that this was the best he’s seen Wigginton this season. 

“I think he got a little more comfortable and up to speed,” Prohm said. “He’s really starting to come along.

“I’m really happy for him, because we need him and Cameron to be at their best.”

With a third of the Big 12 season complete, Iowa State sits in a four-place tie for the conference lead with Texas Tech, Kansas and Kansas State at 4-2. Up next for Iowa State is its return game with Kansas at Phog Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas, on Monday night.

The Cyclones have a chance to grab a hold on the top spot in the conference with a win over the Jayhawks. To do so, they’ll need all hands on deck, not least their new dynamic bench duo.

If this was, in fact, a turning point for Lard and Wigginton’s seasons, the Cyclones might have more staying power in the fight for a Big 12 crown.