In a packed Sanford Pentagon arena in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the No. 16 Iowa State Cyclones pulled away from the Mississippi State Bulldogs with a solid 96-80 victory on Monday night. This Big 12 versus SEC matchup marked the 100th NCAA Division I basketball game at the venue, drawing fans eager for early-season fireworks.
Iowa State's Tamin Lipsey stole the show, dropping a career-high 25 points, including 14 in the second half that helped seal the deal. The Cyclones shot efficiently from beyond the arc and controlled the boards, outrebounding Mississippi State by a comfortable margin. Their defense tightened up after halftime, turning a close contest into a more decisive win.
Mississippi State hung tough early, keeping pace with aggressive drives and solid free-throw shooting, but couldn't match Iowa's depth as the game wore on. The Bulldogs' offense sputtered in key moments, missing chances to flip the script. It's a tough loss for a team looking to build momentum, yet it highlights the grind of non-conference play against ranked foes.
With this win, Iowa State improves to 2-0, flexing their potential in a season full of unknowns. Mississippi State, now 1-1, will need adjustments heading into SEC battles. As both squads gear up for tougher tests, one can't help but ponder how these early dynamics might shape their paths forward.
