Iowa State Upsets No. 2 Houston in Thriller

Nate Heise hits clutch 3-pointer to lead Cyclones to victory

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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In a thrilling matchup, the 6th-ranked Iowa State Cyclones rallied late to defeat the 2nd-ranked Houston Cougars 70-67 on Monday night. Nate Heise hit a go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minutes, and teammate Tamin Lipsey came up with a crucial offensive rebound to seal the win for the Cyclones.

Why it matters

This victory over a highly ranked Houston team is a major boost for the Cyclones, who are looking to solidify their position as one of the top teams in the Big 12 conference. The win will also likely improve Iowa State's NCAA Tournament seeding and chances of making a deep postseason run.

The details

Heise finished the game 3-for-3 from 3-point range, including the clutch shot that gave Iowa State the lead late. Lipsey's offensive rebound in the final seconds allowed the Cyclones to run out the clock and preserve the victory. The win was especially meaningful for Heise, as his sister Taylor Heise had also scored earlier in the day to help her team win.

  • The game was played on Monday, February 17, 2026.

The players

Nate Heise

A key player for the 6th-ranked Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team.

Tamin Lipsey

A teammate of Nate Heise on the Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team.

Taylor Heise

Nate Heise's sister, who also scored earlier in the day to help her team win.

Houston Cougars

The 2nd-ranked college basketball team that lost to Iowa State.

Iowa State Cyclones

The 6th-ranked college basketball team that defeated Houston.

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What they’re saying

“This was a huge win for our team. We knew we were facing a tough opponent in Houston, but the guys really stepped up when it mattered most.”

— T.J. Otzelberger, Head Coach, Iowa State Cyclones

What’s next

The Cyclones will look to build on this momentum as they continue their Big 12 conference schedule. Their next game is against Texas Tech on Saturday, February 22nd.

The takeaway

Iowa State's thrilling victory over the 2nd-ranked Houston Cougars demonstrates the team's ability to compete with the best in the country. This win will be a major confidence boost as the Cyclones push towards the NCAA Tournament.