Iowa State just couldn’t get over the hump.

The Cyclones (11-6, 3-3 Big 12) came within a few possessions of No. 2 Kansas (17-1, 6-0 Big 12) numerous times on ESPN’s Big Monday, but failed to close the gap, ultimately leading to a 76-72 loss at Hilton Coliseum. 

Iowa State started the game in stride, getting off to one of its best starts of the Big 12 season. The Cyclones, boosted by forcing five turnovers, held the Jayhawks to just eight points at the 15-minute mark. 

But Kansas started to show its prowess. The Jayhawks started to claw away, pushing the lead to four, then six, and got ahead as much as 10. Kansas wouldn’t relinquish that lead for the rest of the game. 

Deonte Burton rattled off nine straight points to pull the Cyclones closer at 43-37 at halftime. 

Kansas continued to keep Iowa State just out of reach. Even when the Cyclones pulled within four points early in the second half, the Jayhawks seemed in control of the game. 

Kansas ran the lead up to double digits with about two minutes left to play, but the Cyclones weren’t going away easily. Iowa State went on a 7-0 run over a 1:15 stretch — fueled by back-to-back 3-pointers — to pull within three with under 30 seconds to go. 

But the Jayhawks squandered the Cyclones’ chance at a late-game comeback, nailing the free throws when it counted.