Cyclones Dominate Delta Devils in Season Opener

AMES, Iowa – No. 5 Iowa State (1-0, 0-0 Big 12) claimed its seventh-straight season-opening victory Monday evening, defeating Mississippi Valley State (0-1, 0-0 SWAC) by a score of 83-44 at Hilton Coliseum.

A four-point ISU lead at the 11:26 mark of the first half ballooned quickly for the home squad, as the Cyclones used a pair of late first half runs to put the game away before intermission.

The 39-point victory for the Cyclones ranks as the sixth-largest margin of victory for the Cyclones under coach T.J. Otzelberger. The top-five margins of victory all took place last season.

ISU had four players in double figures on the night, as Keshon Gilbert led the way with 17 points. Joining Gilbert in double figures were Tamin Lipsey (16), Joshua Jefferson (10) and Milan Momcilovic (10). Jefferson had a team-high four steals to pair with six boards – tied for the team lead. Lipsey led the squad in assists with four, while both he and Demarion Watson had a game-best two blocks.

The Delta Devils had a pair of players finish in double figures, as both Donovan Sanders (12) and Greg Moore (10) led the charge. MVSU's Alvin Stredic had a game-high nine rebounds. Mississippi Valley State was held to just 37.3 percent shooting from the floor and 8.3 percent from behind the arc.

How It Happened
The Cyclones punched first, asserting aggression early to take a 6-0 lead in the first two and a half minutes. By the 15:07 mark, ISU found itself with a ten-point lead and looked to be in control early.

MVSU withstood the first Cyclone blow, and chipped the lead away, eventually chiseling it down to four points at the 14:04 mark. With just over 11 minutes remaining in the half, ISU broke away, rattling off a 23-2 run to take a commanding 40-15 lead by the two-minute mark.

Iowa State would go into the break up 44-21 in total control. Jefferson (10) and Lipsey (11) were both in double figures, leading the offense.

The start of the second half was much like the end of the first, as a 9-2 ISU run pushed the Cyclone lead to 33. From there, Iowa State would go on to lead by as much as 42, as it cruised to a victory in the 2024-25 season opener.

The Cyclones recorded 16 steals, and notched 26 points off of turnovers as the Delta Devils racked up 24 giveaways on the night. ISU dominated in the paint, outscoring MVSU by 16 in close. Iowa State never trailed.

Top Performer
Newcomer Joshua Jefferson stuffed the stat sheet in his Cyclone debut, going for 10 points, six rebounds and four steals. Jefferson was oft first to the ground and his effort matched that of Cyclone big men of the past.

Notes

Iowa State is now 95-23 all-time in season openers.
- The Cyclones are 97-21 all-time in home openers.
Dishon Jackson started his 50th career game today.
- Jackson eclipsed 1,700 career minutes.
Tamin Lipsey moved into No. 9 all-time on the ISU steals list.
- Lipsey went over the 700-point mark for his career.

Up Next
The Cyclones will be back in action next Monday evening (Nov. 11), when they return to Hilton Coliseum to host Kansas City. Next Monday's game is set to tip at 7 p.m. and will be streamed live on ESPN+.

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Team Stats

Keshon Gilbert

Tamin Lipsey

Joshua Jefferson

Milan Momcilovic

Players Mentioned

Keshon Gilbert

Dishon Jackson

Joshua Jefferson

Tamin Lipsey

Milan Momcilovic

Demarion Watson

Players Mentioned

Keshon Gilbert

Dishon Jackson

Joshua Jefferson

Tamin Lipsey

Milan Momcilovic

Demarion Watson

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics