Cyclones Edge Out Bears in a Nail-Biting Home Victory
The Iowa State Cyclones emerged victorious in a closely contested battle against the Baylor Bears with a final score of 66-63. The Cyclones' season record now stands at an impressive 0-0, while the Bears hold a 4-4 tally.
The game, held at James H. Hilton Coliseum, saw the home team trailing in the first quarter with only 11 points to the Bears' commanding 24. However, as play progressed, the Cyclones began to close the gap by adding another 18 points before halftime and then taking control in the third quarter with an additional 23 points. The fourth quarter was decisive for Iowa State as they scored 14 points to secure their win.
Iowa State's performance was marked by solid shooting from both inside and beyond the arc. They shot an impressive 46 percent from field goals and maintained a steady three-point completion rate of 35 percent throughout the game. Their free throw accuracy was notable as well, standing at a strong 71 percent.
Defensively, both teams were evenly matched with each recording three blocks and nine steals respectively. However, it was on rebounds where Iowa State showed dominance by collecting a total of thirty-six compared to Baylor's thirty-one.
The Cyclones also excelled in scoring within paint territory racking up thirty-six points which is reflective of their aggressive offensive tactics during this encounter.
Despite committing twenty-one turnovers—more than their opponents—the Cyclones managed to keep their composure under pressure which is evident from their sixteen points off turnovers compared to twenty-one by Baylor.
One area where Iowa State could seek improvement is in fast break situations where they did not score any fast break points during this game while Baylor managed only two.
As fans look forward to future games, they can take pride in how well-rounded Iowa State played against such formidable opposition like Baylor who had previously been ranked fourth nationally.
Looking ahead for fans of The Iowa State Cyclones: mark your calendars for January seventeenth when ISU will face off against Texas Tech Lady Raiders at United Supermarkets Arena located in Lubbock TX; tip-off scheduled for six o'clock PM Central Time Zone. This upcoming match can be watched on ESPN+ over internet broadcast networks ensuring that supporters won't miss any action from this anticipated contest.