As if Wednesday’s must-win game against Colorado wasn’t full of enough pressure after two losses to Big 12 opponents, it was the last home game for the Cyclone senior starting five.

They handled it like the defending Big Eight conference champions they are and grabbed a hard-fought 65-54 victory over the Buffaloes.

Cyclone point guard Jacy Holloway knew the team needed the win badly. Holloway had a relatively high offensive performance and scored 12 points.

“That was the most important thing coming in,” Holloway said. “If we didn’t get [the win] then we would have been hurting.”

The emotions were flying high during and after the game, as the fans saluted the seniors.

Each player received standing ovations upon exiting the game, and senior reserve Ha-Keem Abdel-Khaliq heard the cheers as he stepped on the Hilton floor for the last time.

“It was to the point that I was full of sorrow and full of happiness,” Abdel-Khaliq said. “I just love this place. It’s like my second home.”

Forward Kenny Pratt finished his last home game with 19 points and 9 rebounds, and felt mixed emotions. “I’m going to miss the fans and all that screaming and yelling, ’cause I’ve never been in an arena like this before,” Pratt said.

Pratt felt the win would definitely help the team prepare for the tournament. “I think we’ve got a good feeling going into the Oklahoma State game, and it will prepare us for the Big 12,” Pratt said.

Cyclone forward Shawn Bankhead finished the night with 10 points and six rebounds, while doing a great job on Colorado’s Chauncey Billups in the second half.

“It feels good. The fans have been great out here,” Bankhead said. “I’m going to miss the Hilton Magic.”

Second-team All-American Dedric Willoughby provided 13 points for the Cyclones, but more importantly helped to shut Billups down in the first half of the game. For Willoughby the need to win the last home game of his ISU career was big.

“We didn’t want to leave on a loss,” Willoughby said. “That would have been horrible, and it would have ruined our confidence.”

“I think the seniors responded well,” Willoughby said. “We love playing for this crowd.”

The seniors were recognized after the game by Head Coach Tim Floyd and the Hilton fans in a farewell ceremony.

“It’s not real emotional right now, but I think it will be after the season is over,” Holloway said.