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K-State Men’s Basketball Weathers the Storm in Ames, Upsets No. 3 Iowa State

Writer's picture: Jon GroveJon Grove

Brendan hausen celebrates on the sideline after beating Iowa State in Ames, Iowa. Courtesy: K-State Athletics
Brendan hausen celebrates on the sideline after beating Iowa State in Ames, Iowa. Courtesy: K-State Athletics

Kansas State delivered an impressive 80-61 upset over No. 3 Iowa State on Saturday, snapping the Cyclones’ 29-game home winning streak and proving their resilience with a dominant performance at Hilton Coliseum.


The Wildcats (10-11, 4-6 Big 12) not only snapped a 15-game road losing streak that dated back to January 2024, but their 19-point victory also tied for the largest by an unranked team over a top 3 opponent in AP Poll history, according to ESPN Research. The win also marked K-State's largest victory over an AP Top 5 team since 1951, and their biggest road win over a top 5 team in poll history.


“We haven’t run a road game in a while. I took it personally as a coach,” said Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang. “I’m thankful I had a team that took it personally also and gave us this opportunity.”


Balanced Attack


Five K-State players reached double figures in scoring, led by Dug McDaniel’s 20 points and 5 assists. McDaniel was a steady presence throughout, leading the charge for the Wildcats, while Coleman Hawkins added 17 points on 5-10 shooting, including 2-3 from beyond the arc. 


Brendan Hausen, fresh off a perfect performance from outside in their previous game, posted 15 points, making 9-9 free throws. Max Jones contributed 12 points, and David N’Guessan added 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks in a well-rounded effort.


The Wildcats shot 45% from the floor, including 50% from three-point range (10-20). But it wasn’t just offense that led to the victory.


Dominating the Glass


Kansas State’s rebounding performance was a key factor in the win. The Wildcats out-rebounded Iowa State 39-29, including a dominant 14-6 edge in offensive boards, which led to 21 second-chance points. For a team that had struggled on the glass all season, this was a major statement.


“Rebounding has been a weak spot for us, but we flipped the script today,” said Tang. “We showed we can win the battle in the paint, and that made a difference.”


Despite being ranked 33rd nationally in rebounding, Iowa State could not match K-State’s physicality and determination, even with a solid first-half shooting performance. The Wildcats' defense disrupted Iowa State's usual offensive rhythm, forcing 18 turnovers and holding the Cyclones to just 37% shooting (19-52).


Tang’s Timeout Turns the Tide


It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Kansas State, especially early on. The Cyclones were firing on all cylinders to open the game, and K-State found themselves down 13-4 in the first few minutes. Tang called an early timeout, and that moment would prove to be pivotal in changing the course of the game.


The timeout settled the Wildcats, and they began to claw their way back. K-State went on a 12-2 run, taking a 16-15 lead by the 12-minute mark. From that point, the Wildcats never looked back, dominating the remainder of the first half and carrying their momentum through the final 20 minutes.


Iowa State’s Late Push


Despite the Wildcats’ commanding lead, Iowa State wasn’t about to roll over. The Cyclones ignited a 10-0 run after a technical foul on head coach T.J. Otzelberger, cutting K-State’s lead to 7 points. But every time Iowa State threatened, Kansas State responded with clutch shots. Dug McDaniel and Brendan Hausen hit back-to-back threes to extinguish the Cyclones’ momentum and keep K-State ahead.


In the end, despite some struggles with fouls (22 team fouls) and turnovers, K-State held firm. They weathered the storm and secured one of the most impressive road wins in recent memory.


Controversy? What Controversy?


Now, we’re sure Iowa State fans have been eagerly anticipating this game, not just for the basketball but to “remind” Coach Jerome Tang of last year's alleged spying scandal. But let’s be real: it’s hard to imagine a camera could catch all of Iowa State’s lack of rebounding attempts in this one.


In case you've forgotten, last year K-State coach Tang raised eyebrows (and perhaps a few phone cameras) when he accused Iowa State of using media timeouts and crowd members for some, let’s say, “unconventional scouting.” That little issue didn’t go away quietly, but despite all the fanfare, no evidence ever came to light. Now, this season, in front of the same fiery fanbase that remembers those claims…



The Wildcats made their statement: no cameras or distractions needed — just solid play and a big-time road win.


As Iowa State fans were quick to remind Tang that this wasn’t exactly a friendly place for him, the Wildcats didn’t flinch. They simply outplayed the Cyclones, proving that, if anything, K-State’s camera-ready performance didn’t need any special “help” to get the job done. No need for extra film this time. 



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