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OMAHA, Neb. – With a history of heartbreak and a tortured relationship with the No. 2 seed, Iowa State fans may have been a little apprehensive heading into Thursday’s NCAA Tournament first-round game despite being a heavy favorite.
There was no need to worry.
The No. 2 Cyclones got off to a great start in the second round by demolishing No. 15 South Dakota State, 82-65, on Thursday night to continue in the NCAA Tournament at CHI Health Center.
“Our guys did a good job playing for each other offensively,” coach TJ Otzelberger said during a postgame television interview. “We have given our best when we have had the offensive balance that we had tonight.”
Iowa State (28-7) will play No. 7 Washington State at 5:10 p.m. CT on Saturday (TNT) for a spot in next week’s East Region semifinals in Boston.
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The Cyclones made their first nine shots of the game and never trailed as they overwhelmed the resilient but overwhelmed Jackrabbits (22-13).
Iowa State led by as many as 15 in the first half, but South Dakota State used a 10-0 lead to keep it within seven at halftime despite the Cyclones shooting 63 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes.
The Cyclones, however, delivered the knockout blow early in the second half with a 19-8 run that pushed the lead to 18. The Jackrabbits were unable to threaten the rest of the night.
Milan Momcilovic led the Cyclones with 19 points. Tamin Lipsey scored 17 and Keshon Gilbert added 15.
Momcilovic was 8 of 15 from the floor, including 3 of 9 from 3-point range.
“I’m very satisfied with Milan, their aggressiveness, they stayed on the attack,” Otzelberger said of his rookie.
The Cyclones forced 15 turnovers and held South Dakota State to 43% shooting. Iowa State shot 58%.
“It gives our guys confidence that we’re able to pressure the ball, create offense off of our defense, that’s what we really try to do,” Otzelberger said. “Early in the second half, we got it going a little bit, got some rhythm into our offense.”
The Cyclones have been crying since losing their regular season finale at Kansas State. They reeled off three straight wins to win the Big 12 Tournament, including a 28-point beating of No. 1 Houston.
The win exorcises some demons from the program, as the last time the Cyclones were ranked No. 2, they were upset in the first round by No. 15 Hampton in 2001.
Iowa State will now have a chance to reach the Sweet 16 for the second time in three years after advancing to the second weekend of the tournament in 2022 and losing in the first round last season.
Lipsey (shoulder) and teammate Hason Ward (foot) They were a little banged up and left the game at the end of the second half. Both said they were fine after the game.
Travis Hines covers Iowa State University sports for the Des Moines Register and Ames Tribune. Contact him at Thines@amestrib.com either (515) 284-8000. FFollow him on X at @TravisHines21.
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