Iowa State Basketball Defeats Arizona State

Cyclones bounce back after regular-season finale loss

Mar. 11, 2026 at 11:06pm

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The Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils in a hard-fought matchup. This win comes just days after the Cyclones suffered a 21-point loss to Arizona State in the regular-season finale.

Why it matters

This victory is an important bounce-back win for Iowa State, as they look to build momentum heading into the postseason. The Cyclones are a top program in the Big 12 Conference and this win over a Pac-12 opponent will help bolster their resume for potential NCAA Tournament seeding.

The details

The game was closely contested throughout, with Iowa State pulling away late to secure the victory. The Cyclones were led by strong performances from their starting backcourt, who combined for 35 points. Arizona State kept the game close with their physical defense, but ultimately Iowa State's balanced scoring attack and timely shots proved to be the difference.

  • The game was played on March 11, 2026.
  • This win comes just days after Iowa State's 21-point loss to Arizona State in the regular-season finale.

The players

Iowa State Cyclones

The men's basketball team from Iowa State University, a top program in the Big 12 Conference.

Arizona State Sun Devils

The men's basketball team from Arizona State University, a Pac-12 Conference program.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we had to come out and play with more energy and focus after that tough loss. The guys really stepped up and executed our game plan well.”

— T.J. Otzelberger, Head Coach, Iowa State Cyclones (bvmsports.com)

“Give credit to Iowa State, they made the plays down the stretch when it counted. We'll learn from this experience and get ready for the postseason.”

— Bobby Hurley, Head Coach, Arizona State Sun Devils (bvmsports.com)

What’s next

The Cyclones will now shift their focus to the Big 12 Tournament, where they will look to secure a high seed and make a deep run. Arizona State will regroup and prepare for the Pac-12 Tournament as they aim to solidify their NCAA Tournament resume.

The takeaway

This hard-fought victory demonstrates the resilience of the Iowa State Cyclones and their ability to bounce back from a tough loss. The win over a quality Pac-12 opponent will be a valuable addition to their tournament resume as they look to make a deep postseason run.