- Joshua Jefferson leads with 19 points; Dishon Jackson notches 10 points and 15 rebounds
- Tamin Lipsey exits late with groin injury after scoring 16 points
- Cyclones dominate rebounds 41-23 despite 17 turnovers
- Iowa State to face BYU in quarterfinals after last week's double-OT clash
In a physical Big 12 Tournament showdown, No. 12 Iowa State showcased their frontcourt dominance while navigating injury concerns. Joshua Jefferson’s 19-point performance and Dishon Jackson’s double-double (10 points, 15 rebounds) proved decisive against Cincinnati’s struggling interior defense. The Cyclones overcame 17 turnovers by controlling the boards, translating to a 36-16 advantage in paint points.
The victory was tempered by Tamin Lipsey’s late-game groin injury, which could impact Iowa State’s championship trajectory. Head coach T.J. Otzelberger stated postgame, We’re evaluating Tamin hour-by-hour—his leadership is irreplaceable.The injury casts uncertainty over Thursday’s quarterfinal against BYU, a team they narrowly defeated 87-80 in double overtime just eight days prior.
Industry Insight: Tournament success increasingly relies on frontcourt depth—Iowa State’s 6’11Jackson and 6’9Jefferson combined for 29 points and 25 rebounds, neutralizing Cincinnati’s 7’0Aziz Bandaogo. This aligns with NCAA data showing teams with +15 rebound margins win 78% of conference tournament games.
Regional Spotlight: The Cyclones have now won 12 of their last 15 Big 12 Tournament games, a stark contrast to their 4-11 record from 2015-2019. This resurgence correlates with improved defensive efficiency under Otzelberger, ranking top-20 nationally since 2022.
Strategic Takeaway: Iowa State’s 47.6% three-point shooting (10/21) offset turnover issues—a critical balance as postseason intensity escalates. However, their 22.3% turnover rate in conference play remains a vulnerability against top-tier opponents like Houston (No. 1 in steals).
