After letting an upset slip through its fingers on Wednesday in Waco, Texas, the Cyclones didn’t make the same mistake twice.

Iowa State (10-5, 2-1 Big 12) survived a late scare to beat Texas (7-8, 1-2 Big 12) 79-70 on Saturday at Hilton Coliseum. 

The Cyclones started out slow, struggling get its offense going in the early minutes of the game. At the 10-minute mark of the first half, the Cyclones were down by five points, and hadn’t made a bucket in more than two minutes.

Iowa State rallied back to take a nine-point lead at halftime, thanks to a Deonte Burton three at the buzzer, to put them up 40-31.

Iowa State jumped to a 14-point lead early in the second half, and looked completely in control of the contest. Yet with three minutes left, that wasn’t the case. Texas had clawed it’s way back into the game to trail by just three points.

However a Burton layup, followed by Matt Thomas’ first three-pointer of the game, gave Iowa State the breathing room it needed late to hold on for the 9-point win.

Burton led the Cyclones with 27 points, shooting 12-of-17 from the field. Monte Morris finished the game with 21 points, nine rebounds and six assists.