KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Iowa State entered the Big 12 Tournament coming off a win against Baylor to help the team re-establish its identity.

The Cyclones kept the momentum going into the tournament, picking up a third win over No. 10 Baylor Thursday, by a score of 78-72.

The Cyclones were flying around the court defensively, wreaking havoc on the opposing offense. Iowa State totaled eight first half steals to go along with three blocks.

This defensive presence created opportunities on the offensive end of the floor, with Iowa State picking up some buckets on the fastbreak due to solid ball movement.

Leading the defensive charge for the Cyclones was freshman standout Tamin Lipsey.

Lipsey’s first Big 12 Tournament game was also one to remember, scoring 13 points, totaling 11 rebounds, five assists and five steals. Lipsey credited his defensive effort to the togetherness of the team.

“It’s not just one guy that really plays the game, it’s everyone,” Lipsey said.

The second half pace would begin to look more like what the Cyclones and the rest of the Big 12 have become accustomed to. Long possession with physical play both on the perimeter and in the paint.

Similarly to Lipsey, Gabe Kalscheur said the team chemistry is the reason the team is able to power through some of these tough games.

“Just knowing everyone’s going to bust their balls out there,” Kalscheur said.

Iowa State snatched a season sweep over Baylor during the regular season, with the most recent win Saturday foreshadowing head coach T.J. Otzelberger’s strategies.

Each Cyclone had the chance to enter the game once again Thursday, including players that have been limited in minutes in the past such as Eli King, Hason Ward and Conrad Hawley.

Otzelberger said it takes everyone to be brought in to beat a team of Baylor’s caliber, and he knows things will not be easy from here on out.

“A lot of humility knowing what it’s gonna take as we look forward both here and beyond this year,” Otzelberger said.

Baylor’s Jalen Bridges had a game to remember against the Cyclones. Starting the game 9-9 shooting, including 6-6 from distance, Bridges would wind up with 28 points on 10-11 shooting.

Bridges slowed down a bit late in the game, going scoreless for a large part of the second half. Otzelberger said a large reason for this was some defensive adjustment made.

“We switched more, we were more continuous with our effort getting a stick hand up early,” Otzelberger said.

Leading the charge for the Cyclones was Kalscheur, the same player that had kept the offense afloat during much of Big 12 play.

Kalscheur finished with 24 points on 9-15 shooting, including 6-11 from beyond the arc. Rounding out the statsheet with double-figures scoring were Jaren Holmes with 17 points and Tre King with 10.

The Cyclones do not know their next opponent yet, but are set to square off at 6 p.m. Friday.