It was just a little over a week ago, against Iowa, that Iowa State found itself down 14 points at halftime. The Cyclones allowed Iowa’s best player, Jarrod Uthoff, to put 30 points in the first half.

No. 5 Iowa State afforded UNI a similar first half on Saturday in Des Moines, as the Panthers were up nine at the half and had one player dominating the Cyclones.

But unlike they did against Iowa, the Cyclones were unable to complete the second-half comeback, and UNI went on to win, 81-79, against the previously undefeated Cyclones. 

Forward Jarrod Uthoff led the way for Iowa, but it was UNI’s point guard, Wes Washpun, who lead the Panther’s offensive attack, scoring 17 points and dishing out six assists in the first half to put the Panthers up 46-37 at the break.

Washpun didn’t miss a shot, hitting on all six of his attempts from the field, including a pair of 3-pointers and adding on a trio of free throws.

The rest of the Panthers followed suit, as they shot 65.4 percent from the field and over 60 percent from 3-point range. Iowa State shot over 50 percent from the field, but hit on just 2-of-9 3-point attempts.

With just over eight minutes left in the game, Iowa State made its patented second-half run. A Monte Morris steal led to a Georges Niang bucket to cut the deficit to just four points.

Shortly after, Niang returned the favor, getting a steal and assisting to Morris, who tacked on a layup with a foul. 

Morris would miss the free throw, but Iowa controlled the offensive rebound, leading to a Jameel McKay dunk to tie the game up at 66.

UNI stretched its lead back to four with 3:30 remaining, until McKay tipped in a miss to cut the lead to two with three minutes left. UNI responded with a deep 3-pointer to push its lead to five again.

Niang and Morris both hit a pair of free throws to cut the deficit to one point with just under two minutes remaining. Washpun hit a pair of free throws to put the Panthers up by three.

Niang hit a pair of free throws to cut the deficit to one again with 20 seconds left. ISU pressed on the ensuing defensive possession, forcing a turnover and getting the ball back with 15.3 seconds left. 

But Niang slipped and turned it over, forcing the Cyclones to foul. UNI hit one of two free throws. With six seconds left and his team down by two, Morris brought the ball up and missed a floater at the buzzer, sealing Iowa Sate’s fate.