Final stats, analysis: Valiant Iowa State effort comes up short at No. 5 Houston

The situation for eighth-ranked Iowa State got a little tougher this week, as the Cyclones look to upset No. 5 and Big 12 Conference leader Houston on the road.

Starter Keshon Gilbert and key reserve Curtis Jones were ruled out, as Gilbert has a muscle strain and Jones sick. They are the leading and second-leading scorers for the Cyclones, who have won four straight since the return of Milan Momcilovic.

Houston, meanwhile, has lost just once in league play.

Check out our live updates and in-game analysis of Iowa State at Houston below:

(Refresh for the latest updates)

Final Stats, Analysis

Even in defeat, Iowa State showed plenty, pushing the No. 5 team in the country and Big 12 Conference favorite to the distance on the road. It was just a case of too much to overcome, as Houston received 28 points from LJ Cryer and 19 from Milos Uzan. The Cougars knocked down 10 3-pointers.

For the Cyclones, Milan Momcilovic had 16, all in the second half, with Nate Heise adding 12 and Tamin Lipsey 11.

Live Second Half Updates

Final score: Houston 68, Iowa State 59

Houston 67, Iowa State 59, :37 seconds left: Sharp with an NBA-range 3-pointer that might have just sealed the win for the Cougars. Nothing but respect to Iowa State for going on the road minus two key players and pushing Houston.

Houston 64, Iowa State 57, 2:21 left in second half: The Cyclones have had a couple chances to pull this one tighter, but the shot just will not fall. As usual, the Cougars are controlling the glass with a plus-7 advantage to overcome the 15 turnovers.

Houston 63, Iowa State 57, 3:49 left in second half: The Cyclones have had this one down to a single possession several times, but the Cougars continue to find a way to bring the lead back up. Iowa State made its first 15 free throw attempts, as Momcilovic now has 16 - all in the second half.

Houston 52, Iowa State 47, 6:59 left in second half: The Cyclones had this one down to a one-point game before a 3-pointer by Cryer. Iowa State had a shot to tie it but the ball bounced out. The Cyclones are shooting 60 percent in the second half.

Houston 45, Iowa State 42, 9:26 left in second half: Lipsey with 11, Momcilovic nine and Nate Heise seven in his first start, as the Cyclones have made a game of this one. Cryer and Uzan have yet to score in the half for the Cougars.

There is a situation developing in Houston.
— Iowa State Men’s Basketball (@CycloneMBB) February 22, 2025

Milan the magnificent! Momcilovic has scored four consecutive points, and the Cyclones are within 45-42 with 10 minutes to go. Houston looks rattled and unsure of what to do against this TJ Otzelberger defense.

Houston 45, Iowa State 36, 12:03 left in second half: Tamin Lipsey taking control for the Cyclones, as he is up to 11 with three 3-pointers. The Cyclones have cut into this lead, which could put that much-needed pressure on the Cougars with just over 12 to go.

226 Steals.

No One Better.#Cyclones | #C5C | @TaminLipsey pic.twitter.com/XAK324cZ26
— Iowa State Men’s Basketball (@CycloneMBB) February 22, 2025

Houston 40, Iowa State 29, 15:21 left in second half: The Cougars have regained control to start the second half here. The Cyclones are going to have to go on a run and force Houston to do what they don’t want or like to do if they hope to pull the upset.

Halftime Stats, Analysis

The Cyclones made a run late in the first half, cutting the deficit down. Scoring against Houston is always going to be difficult, but without Curtis Jones and Keshon Gilbert, Iowa State will need to find weapons elsewhere. Tamin Lipsey has six with Joshua Jefferson and Brandton Chatield each adding four.

While they have made four 3-pointers, the Cyclones are just 2-for-11 from inside the arc.

For Houston, L.J. Cryer has 16 points and Milos Uzan has 14 with six combined 3-pointers. The Cougars are 6-for-9 from deep and shooting 62 percent, but have committed 10 turnovers.

Halftime score: Houston 34, Iowa State 22

Live First Half Updates

Houston 30, Iowa State 15, 4:43 left in first half: Using their high-pressure defense, the Cougars have built a 15-point advantage, forcing Iowa State to regroup.

Houston 15, Iowa State 10, 11:47 left in first half: The Cyclones just need to keep this one close for as long as they can, which would put pressure on the favored Cougars. They are doiung that so far, getting key buckets off the bench from Chatfield and Watson.

A Triple each for Heise and Watson.

#5 UH 15 - #8 ISU 10 | 11:47 1st Half#Cyclones | #C5C
— Iowa State Men’s Basketball (@CycloneMBB) February 22, 2025