No. 8 Iowa State Dominates Colorado in Big Win

Cyclones race out to early lead and cruise to 97-67 victory

Jan. 30, 2026 at 2:15am

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The 8th-ranked Iowa State Cyclones defeated the Colorado Buffaloes 97-67 in a lopsided college basketball matchup on Thursday night in Ames, Iowa. The Cyclones jumped out to a big early lead and never looked back, with five players scoring in double figures led by Jamarion Bateman's 17 points. Colorado freshman Isaiah Johnson led all scorers with 24 points in the losing effort.

Why it matters

This win continues Iowa State's strong season as they remain one of the top teams in the Big 12 conference. The Cyclones have now won three straight games after dropping a couple earlier in the conference schedule. For Colorado, the loss extends their losing streak to six games as they continue to struggle in Big 12 play.

The details

Iowa State opened the game on a 30-4 run, taking control early and never letting Colorado back into the contest. The Cyclones shot the ball extremely well, hitting 53.9% from 3-point range. Freshman Isaiah Johnson did his best to keep Colorado competitive, but the Buffaloes couldn't overcome Iowa State's dominant start.

  • The game was played on Thursday, January 30, 2026 in Ames, Iowa.

The players

Jamarion Bateman

A key player for Iowa State, scoring 17 points in the win.

Milan Momcilovic

Added 16 points for the Cyclones, including 3 made 3-pointers.

Isaiah Johnson

The leading scorer for Colorado with 24 points in the loss.

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What they’re saying

“We must have been locked in and focused from the opening tip. Our guys really set the tone early and never let up.”

— T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State Head Coach

What’s next

Iowa State will look to continue their strong play as they face another Big 12 opponent on the road next week. Colorado will try to end their losing streak when they return home to host a conference foe.

The takeaway

Iowa State's dominant performance showcased their depth and ability to overwhelm opponents, cementing their status as one of the top teams in the Big 12. Colorado, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find a way to end their current skid if they hope to turn their season around.