In a matchup that pitted SEC grit against Big 12 speed, No. 16 Iowa State handed Mississippi State a solid 96-80 defeat on Monday night at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The neutral-site clash kicked off the regular season with some fireworks, but it was the Cyclones who turned up the heat after halftime, extending their record to 3-0 while dropping the Bulldogs to 1-1.
Tamin Lipsey emerged as the game's standout, dropping a career-high 25 points, with 14 of those coming in the second half to fuel Iowa State's surge. Joshua Jefferson chipped in 18 points, showcasing the Cyclones' balanced attack that overwhelmed Mississippi State's defense. The Bulldogs kept it close early, trailing by just a handful at the break, but Iowa State's swarming pressure—holding MSU to under 40% shooting—proved too much in the end. For Mississippi State, it was a reminder of the work ahead under new coach Chris Jans, as their offense sputtered against the ranked foe.
The win marks a strong non-conference statement for Iowa State, who now boast a top-20 ranking and momentum heading into league play. Mississippi State, meanwhile, will look to rebound quickly from this early stumble. These early games often set the tone, but how they shape the season remains anyone's guess.
