Nate Heise's late 3 lifts Iowa State over Houston

Heise's game-winning shot capped the Cyclones' comeback from a 10-point second-half deficit against the No. 2 Cougars.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Nate Heise, a graduate wing who averages just 5.1 points per game off the bench for No. 6 Iowa State, hit the game-deciding 3-pointer with under 90 seconds to play to lift the Cyclones to a 70-67 comeback win over No. 2 Houston. The basket capped a 17-4 run by Iowa State, which erased a 10-point second-half deficit against the Cougars' stifling defense.

Why it matters

The win was Iowa State's third over a top-10 opponent this season and second in just three days, further cementing the Cyclones as a legitimate national title contender. The loss was a rare stumble for Houston, one of the nation's top defensive teams, and sets up a crucial Big 12 showdown on Saturday between the Cougars and No. 4 Arizona.

The details

Iowa State and Houston entered the game as two of the nation's top defensive teams, but the offenses shined in the first half, combining for 13 made 3-pointers. The Cougars eventually clamped down in the second half, building a 10-point lead, but the Cyclones chipped away behind the play of their role players, including Heise, freshman Jamarion Batemon and backup big Dominykas Pleta. Heise's game-winning 3 came after a perfect skip pass from star forward Joshua Jefferson.

  • Heise hit the game-deciding 3-pointer with under 90 seconds to play.
  • Houston called timeout with 19.5 seconds left, down 2 points, but was unable to get a game-tying shot off.

The players

Nate Heise

A graduate wing who averages 5.1 points per game off the bench for Iowa State, but hit the game-winning 3-pointer to lift the Cyclones to victory.

Joshua Jefferson

Iowa State's star forward, who finished with a team-high 12 points and 5 assists, including the perfect skip pass to Heise for the game-winning shot.

Chris Cenac Jr.

Houston's center, who grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds, 10 of which came in the second half as the Cougars tried to pull away.

Kingston Flemings

Houston's star freshman guard, who scored a game-high 22 points and hit 4 3-pointers, but slipped late and was unable to get off a potential game-tying shot.

Kelvin Sampson

Houston's head coach, who was unable to will his team to victory despite their typically stifling defense.

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What’s next

Houston now turns around to host No. 4 Arizona on Saturday, in a game that could have major implications for the top seeds in the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

This game showcased the depth and resilience of the Iowa State Cyclones, who were able to overcome a stifling Houston defense and a 10-point second-half deficit to earn a signature win that further cements their status as a national title contender.