No. 3 Iowa State Dominates West virginia in Big 12 Opener, Extends Perfect Start to 14-0
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Iowa State secured a resounding 80-59 victory over West Virginia Friday night in Hilton coliseum, marking both their Big 12 opener and a school-record-tying 14-0 start to the season. The Cyclones were propelled by a stellar performance from Milan Momcilovic,who poured in 26 points,and a historic triple-double from Joshua Jefferson.
Cyclones Surge Past Mountaineers with Explosive Offense
The Cyclones overcame an early deficit with a dominant display of shooting and teamwork.After West Virginia established an initial lead by making 6-of-7 from the field, Iowa State responded with a barrage of three-pointers, led by momcilovic. The team closed the first half on a commanding 26-9 run, setting the tone for their decisive victory. Iowa State continued its offensive onslaught after intermission, shooting 60.9 percent from the field and steadily increasing their lead.
Momcilovic and Jefferson lead the Charge
Momcilovic was particularly impressive, connecting on 8-of-10 shots from beyond the arc and finishing with 26 points. His performance helped the Cyclones nail 13-of-25 three-pointers, a 52.0 percent clip. This was his sixth game this season reaching double-digit three-pointers.
Jefferson’s performance was equally remarkable, achieving the ninth triple-double in iowa State history with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. His all-around contribution was pivotal in controlling the game’s tempo and facilitating scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Blake Buchanan added 14 points and six rebounds, contributing to the Cyclones’ significant 35-23 advantage on the glass.
Key moments and Turning Points
West Virginia briefly led early, capitalizing on hot shooting to take a 14-10 advantage. however, Iowa state quickly countered, with Momcilovic keeping the Cyclones within striking distance. A mid-first-half slump saw the Mountaineers extend their lead to 19-15,but a spark from freshman Jamarion Batemon ignited a crucial run. Batemon hit back-to-back three-pointers, jumpstarting a 13-2 surge that put Iowa State back in front.
The Cyclones continued to build momentum, finishing the half with an 11-5 run to establish a 41-28 lead at the break. The second half saw Iowa State extend their lead further, reaching a 59-38 advantage with 11:34 remaining. A late surge from west Virginia briefly narrowed the deficit,but Batemon’s third three-pointer quelled any comeback attempt. The crowd erupted when Jefferson secured his 10th assist, finding momcilovic for his eighth three-pointer of the night, pushing the score to 78-52.
Batemon’s Impact Off the Bench
Despite playing only 16 minutes, jamarion batemon proved to be a game-changer. Entering the game with the Cyclones trailing and struggling from the field, batemon’s consecutive three-pointers ignited a 26-9 run that swung the momentum decisively in Iowa State’s favor.He finished with nine points, making all three of his three-point attempts.
Looking Ahead
Iowa State will travel to Baylor on Wednesday, January 7, for their next contest. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Peacock.
