Iowa State Routs Arizona State in Big 12 Tourney

Cyclones advance to quarterfinals after dominant win

Published on Mar. 12, 2026

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The No. 7 Iowa State Cyclones cruised to a 91-42 victory over the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second round of the Big 12 Conference tournament in Kansas City. Milan Momcilovic scored 21 points and Joshua Jefferson added a double-double as Iowa State led by as many as 49 points in the lopsided affair.

Why it matters

This win propels Iowa State, the fifth seed, into the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament where they will face fourth-seeded Texas Tech, ranked 16th in the latest AP poll. The Cyclones' dominant performance over Arizona State, the 12th seed, showcases their tournament-ready form as they look to make a deep run.

The details

Iowa State jumped out to a 7-0 lead and never looked back, eventually building a 33-point advantage in the first half. The Cyclones held Arizona State to just 31.8% shooting and forced 15 turnovers, converting them into 18 points. Milan Momcilovic led Iowa State with 21 points, while Joshua Jefferson posted a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds. The 49-point margin of victory was the largest in Big 12 tournament history.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, March 12, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri.

The players

Milan Momcilovic

A key player for Iowa State, scoring 21 points in the dominant win.

Joshua Jefferson

Recorded a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Cyclones.

Blake Buchanan

Scored 17 points to contribute to Iowa State's offensive outburst.

Tamin Lipsey

Scored 11 points for the Cyclones in the lopsided victory.

Santiago Trouet

Led Arizona State with 13 points in the loss.

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What they’re saying

“We must have been locked in from the opening tip. Our defense set the tone and we were able to capitalize on their mistakes.”

— Milan Momcilovic (statenews.net)

What’s next

Iowa State will face fourth-seeded Texas Tech, ranked 16th in the AP poll, in the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 tournament on Thursday afternoon.

The takeaway

Iowa State's dominant performance over Arizona State showcases their tournament-ready form and ability to overwhelm opponents. The Cyclones' stifling defense and balanced scoring attack will make them a tough out as they look to make a deep run in the Big 12 tournament.