On a night where Hilton Coliseum turned back the clock for “Nintendo Retro Night,” the Iowa State Cyclones decided to “level up” by returning to their roots. After a frustrating road trip that saw the Cyclones drop consecutive games to Kansas and Cincinnati, T.J. Otzelberger’s squad didn’t need a cheat code to get back in […]
On a night where Hilton Coliseum turned back the clock for “Nintendo Retro Night,” the Iowa State Cyclones decided to “level up” by returning to their roots. After a frustrating road trip that saw the Cyclones drop consecutive games to Kansas and Cincinnati, T.J. Otzelberger’s squad didn’t need a cheat code to get back in the win column. They just needed a return to the fundamentals.
The theme of the night was established at the break. During the halftime radio interview on the Cyclone Radio Network, Assistant Coach Kyle Green summarized the team’s resurgence in three simple words: “Back to Basics.” Tuesday night’s 87-57 victory over UCF was a blueprint in that philosophy, translated into a dominant defensive effort and a historic individual performance that will be etched into the Hilton record books.
The Jefferson Masterpiece
The story of the night was Joshua Jefferson. Following the loss in Cincinnati, much of the fan critique centered on ball security and decision-making. Jefferson didn’t just hear the noise; he silenced it with a performance for the ages.
Jefferson recorded his second triple-double of the season, finishing with 17 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds. In doing so, he became the first player in Iowa State history to record multiple triple-doubles in the same season. Even more impressive than the counting stats was his efficiency: Jefferson played nearly the entire game without committing a single turnover, a perfect embodiment of the “basics” coach Green emphasized.
There is a special kind of roar reserved for the most iconic moments in Hilton Coliseum, and it erupted the second Jefferson secured his tenth board It was the sound of a fanbase recognizing they were witnessing something truly rare. When he was subbed out moments later, the sell-out crowd gave him a thunderous standing ovation, a rare and well-deserved salute for a player who had completely dictated the game’s tempo from start to finish.
The Freshman Spark
While the veterans steered the ship, the freshmen provided the nitro-boost. Killyan Toure and Jamarion Batemon played with a composure that looked anything but basic. Toure’s early shooting provided a spark when UCF kept it close in the first half, while Batemon’s activity in the passing lanes fueled a defensive effort that forced 17 turnovers from the Knights.
By the time Milan Momcilovic buried a transition three-pointer to extend the lead to 23 with eight minutes remaining, the “Retro Night” celebration was in full swing. The 8-bit graphics on the scoreboard were a fitting backdrop for a team that systematically dismantled its opponent like a seasoned gamer playing a familiar level.
Restoration at Hilton
The Cyclones finished the night having turned those 17 UCF turnovers into 31 points—a staggering statistic that serves as the heartbeat of “Otz-ball.” When Iowa State guards the way they did tonight—neutralizing UCF’s Riley Kugel after an early scoring burst and controlling the glass—they are nearly impossible to beat at home.
As the final buzzer sounded on the 87-57 victory and the student section erupted, the message was clear: the road trip was a glitch, not the status quo. By focusing on the basics—toughness, rebounding, and elite ball security—Iowa State didn’t just win a game; they restored the “Magic” to Hilton Coliseum.
With a historic triple-double in the books and the home winning streak intact, the Cyclones have successfully cleared this level. Next up: taking this “Back to Basics” mentality back on the road.
Category: General Sports
