Cyclones Fall at Cincinnati Despite Career Night from Momcilovic

CINCINNATI, Ohio — A late comeback attempt came up short for No. 2 Iowa State on Saturday afternoon as the Cyclones dropped their second consecutive game, falling 79–70 to Cincinnati at Fifth Third Arena.

Iowa State, now 16–2 overall and 3–2 in Big 12 play, was led by a career-best performance from Milan Momcilovic, who poured in 34 points. However, offensive struggles and costly turnovers proved too much to overcome. The Cyclones committed 12 turnovers, which Cincinnati converted into 20 points, helping fuel the Bearcats’ upset victory.

Momcilovic delivered a game-high scoring effort, knocking down eight three-pointers to tie his personal best. He scored 26 of his points in the second half, nearly accounting for half of Iowa State’s total offense. Joshua Jefferson added 16 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, while Tamin Lipsey finished with seven points, seven rebounds, and four assists.

Cincinnati placed four players in double figures, led by Day Day Thomas with 19 points. Jizzle James contributed 15 points, while Jalen Celestine and Sencire Harris each scored 12. Baba Miller posted eight points and 12 rebounds, including five on the offensive glass.

Both teams shot 43 percent from the floor, and Iowa State held the edge from three-point range, hitting 43 percent from beyond the arc. The difference came at the free-throw line and off the bench, where Cincinnati outscored the Cyclones by 15 points.

Iowa State struggled out of the gate, falling behind 19–8 midway through the first half after a 14–0 Cincinnati run sparked by three consecutive three-pointers from Celestine. The Cyclones trimmed the deficit late in the half, closing on a 7–0 run highlighted by Momcilovic to pull within four, 35–31, at halftime.

The Cyclones carried that momentum into the second half, tying the game at 38 just two minutes in. Cincinnati responded with a decisive run, building a lead that ballooned to 17 points with just over seven minutes remaining. Iowa State made one final push with a 14–2 run, fueled largely by Momcilovic, but the Bearcats held firm down the stretch to secure the nine-point win.

The game featured several milestones for Iowa State. Lipsey moved into 20th place in program history for games played and climbed to 23rd on the all-time scoring list. Momcilovic continued his climb up the record books, tying for 19th in single-season three-pointers and moving into the top five all-time in career made threes at Iowa State. Jefferson also reached a milestone by grabbing his 400th career rebound as a Cyclone.

Iowa State will look to regroup Tuesday when it returns to Hilton Coliseum to host UCF. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m., with the game airing on CBS Sports Network.