OMAHA, Neb. — A hot start from the floor paired with sharp and unselfish ball movement throughout the game for the Cyclones led the charge in their 82-65 win over South Dakota State.
The Cyclones continued their offensive onslaught from the Big 12 Tournament into the team’s first-round matchup of the NCAA Tournament with the Jackrabbits. From the jump, Iowa State outmuscled and outworked South Dakota State, which led to an early double-digit lead.
With team chemistry at a season-high entering March Madness, the Cyclones’ fluent offense pushed the pace and was too quick for the Jackrabbits to stop. Iowa State advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, looking to advance to its second Sweet Sixteen appearance in three years.
Perfect start propels Cyclones
Iowa State came out swinging offensively, connecting on shots from every level to take control early. A Keshon Gilbert mid-range jumper followed by a corner three and baseline fade away from Milan Momcilovic opened up a 7-0 run.
That was only the beginning of the Cyclones’ hot start to the game.
As South Dakota State tried to avoid an early deficit, rapidly throwing up 3-pointers, Iowa State continued to run up the score. With their sharp passes and screens around the perimeter creating shots, the Cyclones consistently found shooters from every level.
The Cyclones started 9-for-9 from the floor, including a trio of 3-pointers, and did not miss a shot for the first eight minutes of the game.
“When you’re hitting shots like 9-for-9 to start the game on the offensive side, everything is just feeling good,” Tamin Lipsey said.
With the Cyclones repeatedly creating open shots and working the ball inside, South Dakota State was left guessing for much of the first half. Iowa State’s perfect start gave the team a comfortable lead at 22-7, an early sign of what ended up being a long night for the Jackrabbits.
Although Iowa State cooled off after its sizzling start to the game, ending the first half on an 8-for-18 stretch from the floor, its early lead continued to pay off. The Cyclones rode their early success to a 40-33 lead going into halftime.
Combat multiple runs
Despite falling behind early, South Dakota State continued to stay in the game with multiple runs late in the first half and at the start of the second half.
After the Cyclones took their 22-7 lead midway through the first half, the Jackrabbits answered back with a 10-0 run. Iowa State was on the ropes, turning the ball over and missing shots the team had been hitting through the opening eight minutes.
While they escaped the first half with a seven-point lead, the Cyclones again found themselves in trouble coming out of halftime. South Dakota State cut the lead to four and had an opportunity to grab the momentum, but Iowa State was not going to let that happen.
Over the following two minutes, the Cyclones erupted on a 12-0 run, including threes from Momcilovic and Lipsey. While its run was extinguished by a Jackrabbit three, Curtis Jones reignited the flame to launch Iowa State’s lead to 18.
“We focus on what we do every day, and we believe that we will be able to make a run like they did,” Jones said.
Iowa State kept its composure during South Dakota State’s desperate attempts to get back in the game. The team knew the Jackrabbits were going to put shots together and find holes at times in their defense, but it was how the Cyclones responded that would decide the ultimate outcome.
“Basketball is a game of runs. It is a common quote, but it is true,” Lipsey said. “Being able to withstand those runs and shrink them down is huge.”
Gilbert and Lipsey command the court
Throughout the night, Iowa State’s guard tandem of Gilbert and Lipsey ran the court and consistently found their teammates. Of the Cyclones’ 23 assists on the night, the premier guards accounted for 12, which complemented their respective double-figure scoring performances.
“When I drive into the paint, I’m looking for them because I know they can knock it down,” Lipsey said. “Obviously we saw that tonight at such a high level.”
Whether it was kicking it to Momcilovic or Jones outside or above the rim to Hason Ward, Lipsey and Gilbert found passing lanes to generate offense.
The two guards have played a huge role in driving Iowa State’s offense, especially when the team’s defense forces turnovers. Gilbert and Lipsey constantly look for steals and push the pace of the game and were major contributions to the Cyclones’ 17 points off fast-breaks.
“[Gilbert and Lipsey] set the tone. They push the break; they look for their teammates,” head coach T.J. Otzelberger said. “Those guys continue to do a great job attacking the paint, attacking in transition, looking for their teammates and making plays.”
