The Cyclones started off Big 12 play with a dud, as poor defense contributed to a 91-75 loss to Kansas State on Friday night in Ames.

The first half was a flurry of offense. Iowa State was hot from the tip, shooting 77.8 percent as a team with 4:34 to play. Defense was optional for both teams, as the Cyclones ended up shooting 68 percent in the first 20 minutes of play, while Kansas State shot 51.5 percent.

The Wildcats were in the lead 53-50 largely because of the play of Dean Wade, Kamau Stokes and Barry Brown Jr. Accounting for 51 of Kansas State’s 53 points, the trio were a combined 18-for-25 from the field. 

Freshman guard Lindell Wigginton made his Big 12 debut and led the Cyclones at halftime with 15 points on 5-of-5 shooting. 

Iowa State came out of the locker room slow, letting K-State’s lead balloon to eight within three minutes. The Cyclones were ice cold from the floor after the break, and that poor shooting allowed the Wildcats to stretch their lead up to 15 points with six minutes to play and 16 at the final whistle. 

Wigginton led Iowa State with 23 points on 6-for-10 shooting and four rebounds. Redshirt freshman forward Cameron Lard had 13 points and nine rebounds for the Cyclones. 

The Cyclones fall to 9-3 and 0-1 in the Big 12. Up next for Iowa State is a home game against Texas at 6 p.m. on New Years’ Day in Hilton Coliseum.