Slow first half dooms cyclones in Lawrence

On By Littum

Lawrence, can. -no. 8 Iowa State (17-5, 7-4 BIG 12) had its worst scoring production since 2023 Monday night as it fell to No. 16 Kansas (16-6, 7-4 Big 12) on the road with a score of 69- 52.

ISU pulled with as many as 23-the biggest deficit in the season-as it sat behind the eight ball with a 19-point first half, the team’s lowest scored first stanza since 2023 against Pittsburgh in the NCAA tournament. Cyclones are now in the middle of a three-match’s losing row, their longest since 2023.

Kansas held Iowa State to 31 percent shooting from the floor and 14 percent (3-21) beyond the arch. Cyclones got their revenue swing that had plagued them too late, but the slow start of the offense inhibited the team.

Three cyclones had finished in double, with the trio of Tamin LipseyAt Joshua Jefferson and Keshon Gilbert Everyone ends with 11 points. Dishon Jackson Had a game-high nine rebounds and were tied to the team’s lead in blocks with two-together with both Demarion Watson and Jefferson. Gilbert had a game-high three stealing, but Lipsey saw a 21-match stealing strip cracked.

Three Jayhawks ended in double, with the South Dakota State Transfer Zeke Mayo being a leader with a game-high 17 points. Mayo was 5-6 beyond the arch and had eight boards. Hunter Dickinson (14) and Dajuan Harris Jr. (12) also rained with double figures. Dickinson and novice Big Flory Bidunga were tied to a game high in blocks with four pieces.

How it happened
It was a sluggish start on both sides when five minutes inside, both teams were with seven points, all tied. Three of Iowa State’s eight first half-curve came in the first five minutes of action.

Kansas rangle then from a 21-8 race to jump out to a commanding 14-point lead. Jayhawks pushed their lead to 16 and drove into the break-up 35-19.

The first 19 half were the fewest of ISU in the first half since 2018. Before Monday night, the fewest Point Iowa State scored in half this season was 33.

Iowa State’s second half was much better than the first as the team shot just under 40 percent off the floor and scored 33 points. However, the damage was already done when the 16 -point deficit first half turned out to be too much to overcome.

Lipsey had nine of its 11 points in the second stanza, while Jefferson poured in eight of his 11.

Key athlete

Dishon Jackson Had another productive game against Jayhawks in his first trip to Lawrence. After a total of 17 against KU in the first matchup of the season he had nine points and nine boards at the second meeting.

Notes

  • Tamin Lipsey Started his 91st Games in Iowa State Today, tying with Marcus Fizer (1998-00) to 19Th Most in the program history.

  • Curtis Jones passed Chris Babb (2012-13) for 12Th All-time in program history with 130 career 3-Pointers.

    • They started 40Th Games in his career.

  • Dishon Jackson Started his 70Th Games in his career.

  • Demarion Watson appeared in his 75Th Play today.

Up next
Cyclones are back in action this Saturday, February 8, when they return to Hilton Coliseum to host TCU. ESPNS COLLEGE GAMEDAY WILL BE IN COUNT