No. 12 Iowa State holds on to beat No. 5 Kansas State 80-76

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Jaren Holmes matched hisseason high with 23 points as No. 12 Iowa State held on to beat No.5 Kansas State 80-76 on Tuesday night.

The Cyclones (15-4, 6-2 Big 12) moved into a three-way tie atopthe conference standings with the Wildcats and Texas.

Iowa State shot 57.1% — including 62.5% in the second half — andscored 25 points off turnovers.

“It felt like as much as any game this year ... it was our guysbeing so connected,” Cyclones coach T.J. Otzelberger said. “Andjust making plays for one another.”

Gabe Kalscheur added 19 points for Iowa State. Osun Osunniyifinished with 16.

Markquis Nowell led Kansas State (17-3, 6-2) with 23 points.

“I thought this was just an unbelievable Big 12 game,” KanasState coach Jerome Tang said. “The environment was incredible.”

A 3-pointer from Holmes gave Iowa State a 59-49 advantage with8:12 remaining. Kansas State responded with a 10-1 run to trim themargin to 60-59.

Caleb Grill’s 3-pointer steadied the Cyclones and pushed thelead back to 63-59 with five minutes left.

Holmes finished 8-of-11 shooting.

“Jaren was dynamite on both ends,” Otzelberger said. “I thoughtdefensively he had a really good game.”

Free throws by Osunniyi, Grill and Holmes sealed the victory inthe final 24 seconds.

“It’s truly a blessing,” Holmes said after jogging off theHilton Coliseum floor. “I treasure every moment that I have in thisgreat arena, and every opportunity I have to witness Hiltonmagic.”

The first half featured eight lead changes and ended with KansasState up 33-31.

A 3-pointer by Kalscheur ignited an early 9-0 run for theCyclones and helped them build a 19-14 lead. Iowa State made justone of nine 3-point tries in the first 20 minutes.

BIG PICTURE

Kansas State was trying to extend its best start to a seasonsince 1961-62.

Iowa State improved to 11-0 at home. The Cyclones have not lostback-to-back games this season.

UP NEXT

Kansas State hosts Florida on Saturday as part of the SEC/Big 12Challenge.

Iowa State travels to Missouri on Saturday.