The formerly undefeated Arkansas Razorbacks went hunting in Hilton Coliseum on Dec. 4, but it was the Cyclones who came to task brandishing the sharpened edge and turning their predators into prey.

The match-up between No. 20 Iowa State (5-1, 0-0 Big 12) and No. 18 Arkansas (6-1, 0-0 SEC) was billed as part of the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.

Yet, as Iowa State tore through the thick skin of the Razorbacks, exposing their soft underbellies on its way to the team’s best first half of the season, the feat appeared to be anything but challenging. In fact, the 95-77 victory appeared down right simple.

The Cyclones forged ahead from the opening tip as junior Georges Niang drilled the first shot of the game, a 3-pointer from the corner that set the tone for the raucous crowd inside Hilton, which functioned as a human avalanche of deafening noise and pulsing energy all night long.

“The key was the start and that is something we have been working on the past few days,” said ISU baskeball coach Fred Hoiberg. “We knew they were going to come out and pressure us and if we could withstand a run early and take it to them that would certainly help us all the way through the game.”

Iowa State withstood the thickly applied Arkansas press, which doused the ISU back court in pressure throughout the night.

The Cyclones turned the ball over 11 times, but forced 14 turnovers of their own as they held the Razorbacks to 13 fewer points than the team’s previous season average.

Georges Niang led the way for Iowa State on offense as he probed, poked and prodded at the Arkansas defense like a big brother mercilessly teasing his helpless sibling.

Niang’s offensive drives manifested as a series of expertly choreographed dances as he bobbed, weaved and glided his way to 26 points, six rebounds and eight assists.

It was a true team effort, however, as the Cyclones returned to their default setting of relentless unselfishness, leading to back-breaking marksmanship from the field.

“I think guys were just flying out there. We were really moving the ball and we had great spacing and guys were knocking down shots,” Niang said. “I think this was huge for us. Coach has been preaching that we need to get our swagger back and I think we definitely did that with this game.”

Every Iowa State starter scored in double figures for the fourth consecutive time at home, shooting a collectively ridiculous 64 percent from the field and dishing out 19 assists.

Not one ISU starter shot below 50 percent on the evening.

Senior Bryce Dejean-Jones was practically perfect in every way during his first journey through Hilton madness, missing perfection by one wayward, put-back dunk on his last attempt of the night.

However, Dejean-Jones was forgiven by the stat keepers and carried an 8 for 8 line into the locker room, ending the night with 27 points, six rebounds and two assists. 

The senior described his first true Hilton experience.

“It was very exciting,” Dejean-Jones said. “Coming here I was told that it is magical in here and that is what it was tonight. The fans were loud and exciting and it just helped us the entire way.”

Iowa State heads back to the court Dec. 9 to take on UKMC. Tip off is set for 6:00 p.m.