(Ames, IA) – With under 30 seconds left on the clock, Cyclone freshman Milan Momcilovic led Iowa State to a crucial jumper to put Iowa State on top of #2 Houston 57-53. That loss for Houston was the first for them all season as they were the last team in college basketball to be undefeated up until Tuesday night.
Iowa State was led by superstar Tamin Lipsey with 14 points and four rebounds in the contest while earning a total of 461 career points. Freshman Milan Momcilovic played in 37 minutes of action as he knocked down 11 points going 4-8 from the field. Tre King was just short of a double-double on the night with nine points and nine boards while swiping away three steals. Hason Ward also earned nine points on the night with two assists and two steals. Despite shooting just 38.3% from the field and 20% from the three-point line, the Cyclone were able to hold their ground defensively.
Houston’s Emanuel Sharp put down 20 points and had five boards in the game leading the team in scoring on the night. Jamal Shead was right behind Sharp in scoring with 14 points and five turnovers. J’Wan Roberts led the team in rebounds with eight while he put down six points on the night. Houston didn’t fare better from the field as the team shot 38% from the field and 26.9% from the perimeter.
With tonight’s win, Iowa State remains undefeated at home as they are 10-0 in Ames. Iowa State’s win marks their 15th over an AP Top-25 team under Head Coach T.J. Otzelberger. Not only do they have 15 wins over Top-25 teams, seven of those wins came against teams ranked in the Top 10.
As Iowa State and Nebraska both won tonight, it is the third time in 40 years where the #1 and #2 teams lost to unranked opponents on the same day. Iowa State will take on Oklahoma State on Saturday, January 13th with the opening tipoff at 5:00 p.m.