There have been two constants during the past few seasons for ISU basketball: close games against Oklahoma State and road woes.

Tied for second place in the Big 12 with an important ranked road game against the Cowboys, the Cyclones finally recorded the road win that had eluded them in their four previous road contests, beating No. 22 Oklahoma State 70-65 in another thriller.

But in the brutal Big 12 grind, there is hardly a moment to celebrate as Iowa State (19-6, 9-4 Big 12) treks south again to take on Texas (17-9, 6-7 Big 12) in a battle of size and different styles of play.

However, the win against the Cowboys may serve as a turning point, as the Cyclones rallied to finish the game on a 9-0 run fueled by a Dustin Hogue 3-pointer and Georges Niang layup to seal the game.

“I think we found ourselves,” Niang said. “I feel like on the road we tended to be a little more negative when adversity hit … [We] let each other know we had each other’s back and I think that’s the biggest thing of getting our swagger, mojo, niche — whatever you want to call it.”

The discovery hits the Cyclones at a good time with only five games remaining on the schedule, each game seemingly more important than the last. But the emerging “X-factor” for the Cyclones may be exactly what they need against a lengthy Texas team: Jameel McKay.

The 6-foot-9-inch junior had the best game of his career against the Cowboys, recording 17 points, 14 rebounds, four blocks and two steals in the win. McKay had 14 points in the previous meeting against the Longhorns coming off the bench, but his production in the last four games as a starter has been off the charts.

Logging no less than 12 points and eight rebounds in the last four contests, McKay has become the difference maker at times. When Niang found himself in foul trouble against Oklahoma State, McKay took control in the paint, getting to the line to shoot 18 free throws, making 13 of them.

That’s bad news for Texas, a team that sent McKay to the line to shoot 10 free throws in 23 minutes of action and will likely see much more of him as he makes his fifth start of the season. But that might not be the worst news for opponents because despite playing his best basketball of the year, McKay is not satisfied.

“I don’t think I’m anywhere close to where I want to be,” McKay said. “I just want to keep contributing in different types of ways. Hopefully I can fill up the stat sheets and just help the team come out with ‘W’s in any way possible.”

The Cyclones will attempt to keep the positive vibes alive on the road when they travel to Austin, Texas against a team that is just 3-3 on its home court this season. However, ISU coach Fred Hoiberg says the team is starting a smaller lineup — a lineup that nearly led a comeback win at Hilton earlier this season.

But with Iowa State playing its best basketball of the season and trailing first-place Kansas by one game in the Big 12 standings, a win against Texas means more than just another road win.

“Just trying to keep that momentum going,” said Monté Morris. “We didn’t come down like we’d normally do on the road and try to get it back in one possession [against Oklahoma State]. … We got our mojo back and we know how to win on the road now.”