No. 6 Iowa State Defeats No. 2 Houston in Thriller

Cyclones rally late to take down the Cougars in Big 12 showdown

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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In a highly anticipated matchup between two top-ranked college basketball teams, No. 6 Iowa State defeated No. 2 Houston 70-67 in a thrilling game that came down to the final seconds. The Cyclones overcame a late 10-point deficit with a 17-4 run, capped by a clutch 3-pointer from Nate Heise and a key offensive rebound and free throw from Tamin Lipsey in the closing moments.

Why it matters

This victory over a highly ranked opponent boosts Iowa State's NCAA Tournament resume and keeps them in contention for a top seed. For Houston, the loss snaps a six-game winning streak and raises questions about their ability to win close games against elite competition.

The details

Iowa State trailed by as many as 10 points in the second half before storming back with a 17-4 run to take the lead late. Nate Heise's 3-pointer with 1:17 left gave the Cyclones a 69-67 advantage, and Tamin Lipsey's offensive rebound and free throw in the final seconds sealed the win. Iowa State had a balanced scoring attack with eight players scoring at least six points, while Houston was led by 22 points from Kingston Flemings.

  • The game was played on Monday, February 17, 2026 in Ames, Iowa.
  • Iowa State led 43-40 at halftime before Houston rallied to take a 58-49 lead with 11 minutes remaining.
  • The Cyclones tied the game at 63-63 with 3:45 left before trading baskets down the stretch.

The players

Nate Heise

An Iowa State guard who hit the go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minutes to help the Cyclones secure the victory.

Tamin Lipsey

The Iowa State point guard made a crucial offensive rebound and free throw in the closing seconds to clinch the win for the Cyclones.

Kingston Flemings

The Houston forward led all scorers with 22 points in the losing effort for the Cougars.

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What they’re saying

“We knew it was going to be a battle against a great Houston team, but our guys showed a lot of heart and determination to come back and get this win.”

— T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State Head Coach (statenews.net)

“Credit to Iowa State, they made the plays down the stretch when it mattered most. We had our chances but just couldn't finish it off.”

— Kelvin Sampson, Houston Head Coach (statenews.net)

What’s next

Iowa State will look to build on this signature win as they continue their push for a high NCAA Tournament seed, while Houston will aim to bounce back and regain their footing in the rankings.

The takeaway

This thrilling matchup between two of the nation's top teams lived up to the hype, with Iowa State showing its resilience and ability to win close games against elite competition. The Cyclones' balanced scoring attack and timely plays in the final minutes proved to be the difference in this Big 12 showdown.