Iowa State Cyclones Knock Off St. John’s Red Storm At Players Era Festival

In a game that had more twists and turns than a carnival ride, Iowa State kicked off the Players Era Festival with a nail-biter of a victory against St. John’s. If you missed this one, you missed an early contender for game of the season. Seriously, it was that good.

The Opening 20 Minutes

The first half felt like a heavyweight bout. The Cyclones came out swinging, landing an early lead, only for the Red Storm to come roaring back. The pace was absolutely frantic, just as everyone predicted. Both teams were sprinting up and down the court like their hair was on fire, making for some breathless, edge-of-your-seat basketball.

For St. John’s, it was a group effort, with everyone chipping in. But for Iowa State, the first half was the Tamin Lipsey and Milan Momcilovic show. Just when it looked like the Cyclones’ early lead was a distant memory, Momcilovic decided to turn into a human flamethrower. He went a perfect three-for-three from downtown, giving Iowa State the offensive jolt it desperately needed.

It was a classic “I’ll take that, thank you very much” performance that kept the game tight. By halftime, it was pretty much a dead heat, with the Cyclones’ long-range bombing balancing out the Red Storm’s relentless attack on the paint.

Cyclones Clutch Up When It Counts

The second half? Oh, it just got better. The back-and-forth action was pure, uncut college basketball drama. Momcilovic picked up right where he left off, continuing his stellar night. It wasn’t just his three-point shooting; he showed off some slick drives to the hoop, proving he’s more than just a spot-up shooter. Watching him play was a huge bright spot for the future of this program.

But then, trouble brewed. The refs started blowing their whistles like they were getting paid by the tweet, and Iowa State found itself in foul trouble. The bench, which has been a quiet strength for this team, was suddenly thrust into the spotlight. And you know what? They delivered. The depth of this Cyclones squad isn’t just a talking point; it’s the real deal.

Here’s the kicker: free-throw shooting. It’s been Iowa State’s Achilles’ heel early this season, but not tonight. They stepped up to the charity stripe and knocked them down with ice in their veins, going 20-for-25. Those clutch makes in the final moments were the difference in a heart-stopping one-point win.

Now, Iowa State turns its attention to Creighton, who are probably a little salty after losing their opener to Baylor. But the big question mark is Tamin Lipsey, who appeared to injure his groin late in the game. With such a quick turnaround, all eyes in Ames will be on his status.