Cyclones Can’t Overcome Late Mistakes, Fall To Texas Tech

After a rough month of February which saw Iowa State completely fall out of the Big 12 title race, Senior Night against Texas Tech presented a final opportunity to circle the wagons before beginning the Big 12 Tournament next week. The Cyclones put together a much better effort, but just couldn’t overcome a few key mishaps and fall to Texas Tech 80-73 in the regular season finale.

Iowa State came out with a bunch of energy, and Marial Shayok, returning from an injury on Senior Day, hit two big three points to give Iowa State an 8-0 advantage early on. Texas Tech would battle back before both teams traded blows and leads for most of the rest of the half. Iowa State would get their first half lead up to 7, but the Red Raiders closed out the half on a 5-0 run and Iowa State went into the break with a 36-34 lead. Talen Horton-Tucker led Iowa State with 10 at halftime.

The back and forth action resumed in the second half, but the Cyclones went into one of their patented scoring funks again, and Texas Tech would follow with an 8-0 run to get a lead 51-46 at the under 12 minute timeout.

The Fighting Tacos would control the game for a bit from there, but Iowa State kept fighting and eventually ended up tying the game at 65 all. The following possession, the Red Raiders hit a back-breaking three pointer and proceeded to go on a 7-0 to take the lead 72-65 with 2 minutes left. Texas Tech would hold on and claim at least a share of the Big 12 regular season crown.

The Cyclones now head to Kansas City for the Big 12 tournament with a little bit better feeling in their stomachs, but a lot more left to prove. They will take on Baylor this coming Thursday at 11 AM.

Stay tuned to WRNL for more coverage entering the Big 12 tournament next week.