In a thrilling display of toughness, the Iowa State Cyclones managed to secure an 85-84 overtime victory against Texas Tech on Saturday, despite leading for a mere 1 minute and 39 seconds throughout a grueling 45-minute contest.

The turning point of the game came early in the second half when Texas Tech's star player, Elijah Hawkins, found himself in foul trouble. Prior to hitting the bench with his fourth foul just 18 minutes into the game, Hawkins had racked up an impressive nine assists, making his absence critical. Cyclones head coach T.J. Otzelberger quickly capitalized on this opportunity, driving the ball at Hawkins before he finally returned to the court at the 8:34 mark, allowing Iowa State to claw back from an eight-point deficit to level the game.

Despite the Cyclones' valiant efforts, Texas Tech held firm and appeared poised for victory. The Red Raiders shot 19-24 from the free-throw line, but two crucial misses in the dying moments of the game gave Iowa State a glimmer of hope. With just six seconds remaining and trailing by two points, Tamin Lipsey executed a well-timed pass to Joshua Jefferson, who found net and sent the game to overtime.

In the extra period, the Cyclones continued to show their resolve. Trailing by a single point, they orchestrated a well-planned final play that saw Jefferson drawing a foul and stepping up to the charity stripe. The St. Mary's transfer, proving invaluable to the Cyclones this season, converted the pair of free throws that ultimately clinched the game. Jefferson finished the game with an impressive 17 points and eight rebounds.

Key contributions came from other players as well, underscoring the Cyclones' depth this season. Transfer Curtis Jones matched his season-best by scoring 26 points, including seven consecutive points during a critical stretch. Brandt Chatfield's impact was felt beyond the score sheet, as he pulled down six crucial rebounds, illustrating the team’s strong defensive and hustle play.

After the game, Jones expressed unwavering confidence in the team's resilience, stating, “I’m so confident in this team in those moments. Just because we never get too high on ourselves, even when the other team starts celebrating a bit.”

With this victory, Iowa State has now surged to an impressive 4-0 record in Big 12 play, and anticipation is building as the new AP rankings are set to be released on Monday. The Cyclones may very well ascend to the top two for the first time in the program’s history, showcasing the successful blend of new talent through transfers and the strong camaraderie within the team.

This win against Texas Tech not only reflects Iowa State's tenacity but also sets the stage for an exciting season ahead! Will they maintain this momentum and make a deep postseason run? Stay tuned!