After clinching the Big-12 conference championship and dominating South Dakota State in the opening round, the second-seeded Cyclones sustained their momentum to secure a 62-51 triumph over Washington State in the second round.
This victory propelled Iowa State to their second Sweet 16 appearance in the past three seasons. Despite Washington State initially taking the lead, the teams were deadlocked at 27 by halftime.
Leading the charge for the Cyclones was Tamin Lipsey, who scored 15 points, accompanied by five rebounds and four assists. Curtis Jones contributed 12 points, three rebounds, and three assists off the bench, while Milan Momcilovic and Keshon Gilbert each added 10 points.
Fans erupted on social media to celebrate the achievement and commend Iowa State’s relentless style of play.
Looking ahead, Iowa State is set to face the winner between Duquesne and Illinois. The Cyclones have a historical record of 3-12 against Illinois, with their last encounter dating back to 2018. As for Duquesne, this will mark the first-ever matchup in program history.
