Joshua Jefferson’s Game-Changing Surge Sparks Stunning Iowa State Comeback Against Iowa

You know, it’s one of those nights where grit and sheer willpower steal the spotlight. Joshua Jefferson lit up the court with 24 points, dragging No. 4 Iowa State back from a 13-point hole to nip Iowa 66-62 — keeping their perfect streak alive. The Cyclones, who’ve been on a tear with a nation-leading field-goal percentage, stumbled out of the gate but then unleashed a thunderous 19-0 run that flipped the script and held off a desperate Hawkeyes comeback. It’s the kind of basketball battle that makes you sit a little straighter, heart pounding — the CyHawk Series just got a whole lot fiercer. LEARN MORE

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Joshua Jefferson scored 24 points and No. 4 Iowa State overcame a 13-point deficit to stay unbeaten with a 66-62 win over Iowa on Thursday night.

The Cyclones (10-0), who entered leading the nation in field-goal percentage after a 23-point victory at then-No. 1 Purdue, were sluggish early. But a 19-0 run spanning both halves gave them the lead, and they held off a late surge by Iowa (8-2) to win their third straight in the CyHawk Series.

Tamin Lipsey had 14 points and four assists, and Milan Momcilovic scored eight of his 10 points in the second half.

Tavion Banks led the Hawkeyes with 14 points, and Bennett Stirtz and Cam Manyawu had 10 apiece.

Iowa, trying to beat its highest-ranked opponent in five seasons, led 33-25 at halftime after going 5 of 7 on 3-pointers and shooting 64% from the floor. It was the Cyclones’ fewest first-half points this season.

But the Hawkeyes went scoreless for more than six minutes before and after the break, and Momcilovic’s 3-pointer from the wing put the Cyclones up 10 with 12 minutes to play.

Iowa ran off eight straight points to make it 47-45 and was within one with 1:38 left. Jefferson’s two free throws with 9.1 seconds remaining made it a four-point game.

Iowa leads the all-time series 48-31.