After trailing by as many as 13 points, Iowa State junior forward Joshua Jefferson made a buzzer-beating layup to send the game into overtime, where the No. 3 Cyclones would go on to defeat Texas Tech 85-84 Saturday in Lubbock.

Cyclones struggle early

Despite how good Iowa State has been this season, it’s had its fair share of slow starts to games. Saturday’s game against Texas Tech saw that trend continue. 

It was all Red Raiders in the opening moments of the game. After the first seven minutes, the Red Raiders had jumped out to a 14-6 lead, with sophomore forward JT Toppin scoring 10 of those points. 

That was just the beginning of the Cyclones defensive struggles.

In the first half, Texas Tech shot 46.7% from the field, 45.5% from 3-point range and 7-of-8 from the free throw line. 

Iowa State also allowed too many second-chance opportunities, as Texas Tech secured eight offensive rebounds in the first half. 

Even while forcing 10 first half turnovers, the Cyclones’ struggles with contesting shots and grabbing rebounds led to Texas Tech scoring 40 first half points. 40 points is the second most points Iowa State had allowed in a first half this season. 

On the offensive side of the ball, the Cyclones shot an efficient 53.8% from the field in the first half, which helped keep the game tight after trailing by as much as 13. 

However, Iowa State turned the ball over seven times, went 0-for-5 from 3-point range and shot 54.5% from the free throw line, which ultimately led to Iowa State trailing by six at halftime.

Cyclone guard trio lead strong second half, force OT

In the second half, the Cyclones played much stronger, especially on the offensive end. 

Iowa State improved on its efficient shooting from the field, as it shot 57.7% from the field in the second half, but its biggest improvement was from behind the arc.

After not making a single 3-pointer in the first half, the Cyclones went 5-for-10 from 3-point range in the second half. 

Iowa State also improved on its free throw shooting in the second half, going 5-of-7.

It was Iowa State’s trio of guards, senior Keshon Gilbert, senior Curtis Jones and junior Tamin Lipsey, who led the second half comeback.

Jones was the leading scorer in the second half. He scored 14 points, going 5-for-8 from the field and 2-for-4 from 3-point range. Jones finished the game with a season-high 26 points. 

Gilbert scored eight of his 14 points in the second half, going 3-for-5 from the field and 1-for-2 from 3-point range. Gilbert also recorded three steals in the second half. 

Lipsey scored all nine of his points in the second half, after taking just one shot in the first. Lipsey gave the Cyclones their second lead of the game with 4:48 left in the second half with a contested layup.

Lipsey’s most important play, and maybe the most important play of the game, came on his one assist in the second half. 

With time running out and Iowa State trailing by two, Lipsey received a pass from forward Milan Momcilovic with four seconds on the clock. Lipsey drove to the rim and found an open Jefferson, who was able to gather the pass and put in a layup as time expired, sending the game into overtime at 74 a piece.

Jefferson comes through in the clutch

After making the shot to send the game into overtime, Jefferson was the one who led the Cyclones to victory in the final five minute period.

Jones and Gilbert scored the first five points from the Cyclones in overtime, but they still found themselves down two. From there, Jefferson took over.

First, Jefferson went to the free throw line and knocked down both shots to tie the game at 81. 

On the following offensive possession, trailing by one, Gilbert missed a jump shot but Jefferson was there to secure the offensive rebound and put the ball in the basket, giving Iowa State a one point lead. 

After the Red Raiders retook a one point lead, Jefferson was fouled with four seconds left in the game, which sent him to the line for the second time of the overtime. 

Just like the first time around, Jefferson nailed both, giving the Cyclones a one point lead, which they were able to hold onto to secure the victory. 

Jefferson has shot 82.4% from the free throw line this season, which is very rare for a forward, and on Saturday, he showed just how valuable it is to have that ability as a big man.