The Cyclones rose to the challenge on Saturday against a Texas Tech team that has become one of the best in the Big 12.

For the second game in a row Iowa State center Kelvin Cato sparked the defense that carried his team to victory.

Cato led the team in scoring with 18 points and he pulled down six rebounds. Perhaps Cato’s biggest contribution to the game was his defense. Cato recorded eight blocks during the game and became ISU’s all-time leader in blocked shots with 139.

Cato considered the game a big one not only because it was Texas Tech, but also because it was at home. “We don’t want to lose at home, and Coach Floyd emphasizes that you have to win at home in this conference,” Cato said.

Cyclone forward Kenny Pratt was also a thorn in the Red Raiders side with his tough defense. Pratt had the assignment of guarding Texas Tech center and second leading scorer Tony Battie.

Battie came into the game averaging 21.4 points per game, but with Pratt’s defensive effort and the backup provided by Cato, not only did the Cyclones hold Battie to a meager three points, but he also fouled out of the game.

Pratt was grateful for the support that Cato provided on the defensive end. “When the big boy gets it going I think he’s probably one of the best big men in the nation,” Pratt said. “That really sparks our team.”

The game also marked the return of ISU’s leading scorer Dedric Willoughby. Willoughby played 39:30 minutes of the game and managed 10 points.

Willoughby’s greatest contribution may have been just being on the court. “I think those guys respond well to me being out there,” Willoughby said. “It gives us our team chemistry.”

Pratt agreed on the importance of Willoughby’s presence. “We have a bond, all of us have a bond together,” Pratt said.

The Cyclones came out in the first half and looked like a team on a mission. The offense was started by Cyclone forward Shawn Bankhead, Cato and Pratt. The three were responsible for the ISU’s first 14 points of the game.

After getting off to a slow start, Willoughby knocked down his first jump shot with 6:42 left. He chipped in his first three-pointer of the game with 4:03 left and the Hilton crowd was on its feet.

At halftime the Cyclones had a 31-25 lead and the momentum carried over to the second half. Iowa State started the second half strong scoring on the first possession and increased the lead to eight.

With 17:02 left Willoughby hit his second three of the game and gave the Cyclones an 11 point lead. ISU led by as many as 13 points during the second half, before Texas Tech made a run.

With 3:50 left the Red Raiders closed the gap to 62-61 and things were looking tense for the Cyclones. Pratt was sent to the free-throw line with 3:28 left and hit two free throws to put ISU up by three.

Enter Cyclone point guard Jacy Holloway.

Holloway could be considered the unknown hero of the game.

After playing strong defense for 39 minutes and 30 seconds, Holloway stepped up in the last 30 seconds and played what would be the defining moments of the game for him.

With :29 left Texas Tech forward Gracen Averil was fouled by Bankhead and sent to the free-throw line.

Averil missed his free throw and Holloway came up with the rebound to keep the Cyclones in the lead.

On its next possession the Red Raiders were pushing down the court with :04 left and Holloway stepped up to take a charge and give the Cyclones possession of the ball.

On the ensuing inbounds play, an errant pass was thrown past ISU guard Brad Johnson and looked to be headed out of bounds when Holloway dove after the ball and saved it to Pratt as time expired.

Cyclone Head Coach Tim Floyd gave credit to the defensive effort of his team.

“You have to give credit to the defense, because that’s where they ended up taking care of us,” Floyd said.