Georges Niang did just about everything right, scoring 24 points and pulling down 10 rebounds for the Cyclones, but on No. 11 Iowa State’s final possession it was Abdel Nader who stole the show.

Nader drilled the eventual game-winning 3-pointer with 11 seconds remaining on a pass from who else but Niang, his first assist of the game. 

“I guess that’s his graduation gift,” ISU coach Steve Prohm said of Abdel Nader, who graduated from Iowa State last week, in his post-game press conference according to the Ames Tribune. “Georges gave him that assist.”

No. 22 Cincinnati (10-3) had three looks on its final possession of the game, but none found the bottom of the net as the Cyclones (10-1) survived and held on to win 81-79. 

Nader might have received a graduation present from Niang, but his clutch 3-pointer could serve as an early Christmas present to Iowa State fans.

Thank you @AbdelNader2 for the early Christmas gift! And s/o to my teammates for getting the job done! Great win!

— Hallice Cooke (@Hallywood_03) December 23, 2015

“A lot of people were doubting us after that last game and we wanted to come in here and prove how tough we were,” Niang said, according to Travis Hines of the Ames Tribune.

Iowa State has struggled with slow starts a few times this season, including the UNI game, and were notorious for starting slow last season and then making huge comebacks in the second half of games. 

Iowa State flipped the script this time around, as they jumped out to a 7-0 lead to start the game and lead by as many as 13 points on separate occasions in both the first and second halves. 

Cincinnati wouldn’t go away, as the Bearcats clawed back into the game and took its first lead with just 4:23 left in the game.

“We got a lot of grit, we got a lot of character and found out we got a lot of toughness,” Prohm said to John Walters of Cyclones.tv after the game. 

The Cyclones showed that toughness as they were clutch down the stretch. Niang hit a big 3-pointer to tie the game with just over a minute remaining in the game and then Nader’s 3-pointer with 11 seconds to go that sealed the win.

It was a promising turnaround in Prohm’s eyes, after a lackluster game four days prior.

“Our focus was so different,” Prohm said. “If you watched us play Saturday and today there was a different focus about us and that’s how it needs to be going forward.”

Most importantly, Iowa State recovered from a tough loss and bounced back to score a big win against a top-25 team, which sends the Cyclones into the holiday season on a high note.

“We’re 10-1 going into Christmas and I feel really good,” Prohm said.

Iowa State will next be in action on Dec. 30 against Coppin State. The game will tip at 7 p.m. in Ames.