OMAHA, Neb. – With a historical past of heartbreak and a tortured relationship with the No. 2 seed, Iowa State followers could have been just a little apprehensive heading into Thursday’s first-round NCAA Match sport regardless of being a heavy favourite.
There was no want to fret.
The No. 2 Cyclones rode a scorching capturing begin into the second spherical by demolishing No. 15 South Dakota State, 82-65, on Thursday night time to proceed on within the NCAA Match at CHI Well being Heart.
“Our guys did a great job taking part in for one another offensively,” coach T.J. Otzelberger stated throughout a postgame TV interview. “We have been at our greatest after we’ve had the offensive stability that we did tonight.”
Iowa State (28-7) will play No. 7 Washington State at 5:10 p.m. CT Saturday (TNT) for a berth into subsequent week’s East Area semifinals in Boston.
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The Cyclones made their first 9 pictures of the sport and by no means trailed as they overwhelmed the resilient however overwhelmed Jackrabbits (22-13).
Iowa State led by as many as 15 within the first half, however South Dakota State utilized a 10-0 street to maintain it inside seven at halftime regardless of the Cyclones capturing 63 % from the ground within the first 20 minutes.
The Cyclones, although, landed the knockout punch early within the second half with a 19-8 run that pushed the result in 18. The Jackrabbits have been unable to threaten for the remainder of the night.
Milan Momcilovic led the Cyclones with 19 factors. Tamin Lipsey had 17 and Keshon Gilbert added 15.
Momcilovic was 8-of-15 from the ground, together with 3-of-9 from 3-point vary.
“I used to be actually happy with Milan, his aggressiveness, stayed on the assault,” Otzelberger stated of his freshman.
The Cyclones compelled 15 turnovers and held South Dakota State to 43% capturing. Iowa State shot 58%.
“It builds our guys’ confidence that we’re in a position to stress the ball, create offense off of our protection, that is what we actually attempt to do,” Otzelberger stated. “The beginning of that second half, we obtained it going just a little bit there, obtained some rhythm to our offense.”
The Cyclones have been on a tear since dropping their regular-season finale at Kansas State. They ripped off three straight victories to win the Massive 12 Match, together with a 28-point beatdown of No. 1 Houston.
The victory exorcises some demons for this system because the final time the Cyclones have been a 2 seed they have been upset within the first spherical by No. 15 Hampton in 2001.
Iowa State will now have its likelihood to achieve the Candy 16 for the second time in three years after advancing to the event’s second weekend in 2022 and dropping within the first spherical final season.
Lipsey (shoulder) and teammate Hason Ward (foot) have been just a little banged up and left the sport late within the second half. Each stated they have been high-quality after the sport.
Travis Hines covers Iowa State College sports activities for the Des Moines Register and Ames Tribune. Contact him at thines@amestrib.com or (515) 284-8000. Follow him on X at @TravisHines21.