In a resounding victory, reserve player Curtis Jones shone with 24 points on an impressive 7-for-11 shooting from the field, leading No. 8 Iowa State to an easy 82-52 triumph over TCU in a Big 12 Conference showdown held on a Saturday afternoon in Ames, Iowa. Making a remarkable comeback from a hand injury, Milan Momcilovic contributed 14 points for Iowa State (18-5, 8-4), playing a pivotal role in snapping a three-game losing streak. Joining the scoring spree were Dishon Jackson and Joshua Jefferson, who added 14 and 13 points, respectively, with Jefferson also securing a double-double by grabbing 10 rebounds.
On the other side, TCU (12-11, 5-7) saw Vasean Allette and Trazarien White leading their team’s efforts with nine points each, while Ernest Udeh Jr. chipped in with eight points for the Horned Frogs. The shooting percentages from both teams reflected the stark contrast in performance, with Iowa State impressively shooting 59.6% overall and 47.4% from beyond the arc, compared to TCU’s 35.8% from the field and a mere 14.3% from 3-point range. The Cyclones dominated the interior game, outscoring TCU 44-28 in points in the paint.
At halftime, Iowa State held a commanding 42-24 lead, and they never looked back. The Cyclones extended their advantage to 18 points just before halftime, and TCU struggled to mount a comeback in the second half. Despite a brief 9-0 run from TCU, Iowa State’s lead remained insurmountable. A decisive 19-4 run in the latter stages of the game propelled Iowa State to an 82-49 lead with under two minutes to play, sealing the victory in style.
Milan Momcilovic’s return to the court after a significant absence added another layer of excitement to the game, as the sophomore showcased his scoring prowess and shooting accuracy. With a season average of 10.3 points per game and an impressive 44.3% shooting from beyond the arc, Momcilovic’s impact on the court was evident throughout the game. The victory marked a significant turning point for Iowa State, sending a strong message to their opponents in the Big 12 Conference.
