It would have been hard to script a worse start for Iowa State.

The No. 4-seeded Cyclones, who went on to fall to No. 1-seeded Virginia, 84-71, in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA tournament, trailed by 17 points before nine minutes of game action had gone by.

Virginia’s defense clamped down Iowa State’s defense and Iowa State couldn’t stop Virginia’s offense as the Cavaliers shot 61 percent in the first half.

Iowa State cut the deficit to 10 points with a minute left in the first half, but the opportunity to cut the lead to single digits slipped away and Virginia led 45-31 at the break. 

The Cyclones, led by Georges Niang, tried to mount a second-half comeback, cutting Virginia’s lead to nine with 15 minutes left in the game and to seven with 14 minutes left in the game.

Niang was whistled for his fourth foul with 13:10 left in the game, sending him to the bench just as Iowa State was closing the gap. Niang had 22 points at that point. 

Without Niang, the Cyclones struggled to close the gap, and coach Steve Prohm was forced to put Niang back in with his team down 13 at the nine-minute mark.

But Niang’s presence wasn’t enough for Iowa State, as it attempted to put on a full-court press in the closing minutes, but Virginia broke right through. Alley-oop after alley-oop signified the end of the season for the Cyclones. 

Seniors Jameel McKay, Abdel Nader and Niang all walked off the court to standing ovations as Prohm subbed them out near the end of the game.