NCAA men’s basketball: Iowa State holds off Baylor 72-69, Momcilovic scores 21

Milan Momcilovic delivered clutch performance with 21 points as No. 7 Iowa State held off a late Baylor surge for a 72-69 victory Saturday afternoon. The Cyclones remained perfect at home while the Bears mounted a furious comeback that nearly pulled off the upset.

Momcilovic Leads Cyclones Through Close Call

Milan Momcilovic led the way with 21 points on 6-for-11 shooting, recording his 11th game of 20 or more points this season. Joshua Jefferson added 15 points while Tamin Lipsey contributed 14 points and 9 rebounds. The offensive firepower proved enough despite Iowa State shooting just 50 percent from the field. Momcilovic, who leads the nation in 3-pointers, hit 2 of 6 attempts from deep in a surprisingly quiet performance by his standards.

Iowa State’s bench contributed sparingly, but the starters remained dominant throughout. Jefferson scored 10 of his 15 points in the second half, providing crucial baskets when Baylor became aggressive. Lipsey showed his value with four offensive rebounds, helping Iowa State outrebound the taller Bears 37-25. The Cyclones improved their record to 21-2 with this victory at home.

Baylor’s Cameron Carr Keeps Bears in Game

Cameron Carr led all scorers with 24 points to pace the Bears, hitting five 3-pointers while forcing Iowa State to scramble defensively. Tounde Yessoufou added 17 points with crucial late buckets, including a 3-pointer with just 1.2 seconds left that trimmed the final margin. Obi Agbim contributed 15 points from the post, giving Baylor multiple scoring threats. The Bears shot 45.6 percent from the field despite losing by just three points.

Baylor’s comeback in the final minutes nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season. Trailing 70-55 with 2:12 to play, the Bears stormed back with 14 of their next 16 points down the stretch. The aggressive pressure created turnovers and forced Iowa State into rushed possessions. For much of the game, however, the Bears played catch-up, never leading in the opening moments of play.

Game Flow Shows Iowa State Control Before Late Scare

Iowa State built its lead on Momcilovic’s first-half performance with 12 points before intermission at Hilton Coliseum in Ames. The Cyclones led 37-33 at halftime despite Carr’s multiple 3-pointers keeping the Bears within striking distance. Iowa State expanded the lead to 20 points early in the second half before the defensive gas ran out. Lipsey’s consecutive baskets with 7:01 remaining gave Iowa State a 63-51 cushion that initially seemed comfortable. However, Baylor’s late offensive surge nearly completed the turnaround.

The victory marked Iowa State’s fifth consecutive win and extended their remarkable home winning streak to 14 games at Hilton Coliseum. Coach T.J. Otzelberger earned his 116th career win at Iowa State, moving into fourth on the all-time wins list for the program. The close finish served as a wake-up call for the Cyclones who face a stretch of four of six games against Top 25 teams.

“It was the fifth consecutive win for the Cyclones (21-2, 8-2 Big 12). Iowa State, heading into a stretch where four of its next six games are against AP Top 25 teams, had won its last four games by an average of 26.8 points.”

— AP Sports, Game Recap

Lipsey Sets School Records While Supporting Stars

Tamin Lipsey, the senior guard, moved into third on the Big 12’s all-time career steals list with his 284th steal, surpassing Kansas’ Mario Chalmers. Lipsey also passed Jeff Hornacek for 20th on Iowa State’s all-time scoring list with 1,317 career points. His 90 wins at Iowa State rank fifth in school history. Meanwhile, Joshua Jefferson surpassed 300 assists in his career, showing his multifaceted contributions on the court. Momcilovic moved to sixth on Iowa State’s single-season 3-pointers list with 90 made shots from deep this year.

Iowa State shot 53.8 percent in the second half, demonstrating improved efficiency as the game progressed. The Cyclones cleaned the glass with their 37 rebounds versus Baylor’s 25, a critical edge in a close game. Iowa State’s 14 turnovers versus Baylor’s 9 remained a concern, but points off turnovers and second-chance offense compensated. Next up, Iowa State travels to TCU on Tuesday in another crucial conference matchup.

Can Iowa State Maintain Dominance Through Top 25 Gauntlet

Saturday’s narrow victory exposed Iowa State’s vulnerabilities despite their 21-2 record and No. 7 ranking. Having won their last four games by an average of 26.8 points, the Cyclones faced a team playing with nothing to lose and proved the lesson that tournament play requires consistency over flashy wins. Baylor’s comeback attempt demonstrated that even elite teams like Iowa State need clutch performance and defensive focus in the final moments. The challenge ahead looms large as the Cyclones prepare for four tournament-caliber opponents in their next six games. Will this scare motivate Iowa State to avoid similar finishes, or does the team’s championship depth ensure more dominant performances ahead this season?

Michael Brown

Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.