Cyclones Dominate UCF in 108-83 Victory Behind Joshua Jefferson's Career-High Performance
Iowa State delivered an electrifying performance on Tuesday night, annihilating UCF 108-83 at Hilton Coliseum in Ames. The Cyclones showcased their offensive might, with Joshua Jefferson leading the charge by scoring a career-high 30 points. Keshon Gilbert added another impressive 21 points, fueling the Cyclones to their 16th victory of the season. This victory improves Iowa State’s record to 16-2 overall and 6-1 in the Big 12 Conference, while UCF drops to 12-7 overall and 3-4 in the league.
From the very beginning, Iowa State took control of the game, and the outcome never seemed in doubt. The Cyclones were dominant in virtually every aspect of the game, shooting an astounding 56% from the field and outrebounding the Knights 43-29. On top of that, they forced 16 steals, which played a pivotal role in their high-energy offense, resulting in an 18-5 advantage in fast-break points. The Cyclones simply outclassed UCF in this contest, leaving their opponents with no answers to the aggressive play and relentless pressure.
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Jefferson’s standout performance, with 30 points, was particularly notable since it had been some time since a Cyclone player had reached that milestone, the last being Caleb Grill in 2022. His scoring was crucial as Iowa State continued to build its lead throughout the game. At one point in the second half, Jefferson had already surpassed 26 points with just under 4 minutes left to play. His contributions were complemented by Gilbert, who played a major role in the Cyclones' success, registering 21 points on 10-of-15 shooting, alongside eight assists. Other players like Curtis Jones (13 points) and Nate Heise, who also added some excitement with a dunk, contributed to the overall performance, keeping Hilton Coliseum buzzing.
The first half saw Iowa State take command early, outpacing UCF by a score of 54-36 at the break. The Cyclones dominated the glass with 23 rebounds to UCF’s 9, a stat that highlighted their physicality and determination. Gilbert led the charge with 13 points in the first half, while Jefferson chipped in 11, including two sharp three-pointers. UCF had no answer for the Cyclones' offensive weapons, and as the game wore on, Iowa State only strengthened its grip.
The second half followed a similar pattern as Iowa State continued to pile on the points. Jefferson poured in 15 more, while the Cyclones had a significant 42-18 advantage in points in the paint. With under four minutes left, the Cyclones were comfortably ahead 94-78, with T.J. Otzelberger clearing the bench to give other players some minutes in the dominant win.
This victory not only extended Iowa State’s impressive season but also provided a much-needed bounce-back after their recent loss at West Virginia. Next up, the Cyclones will face a challenging two-game road trip to Arizona, where they will battle Arizona State and Arizona. The road test promises to be tough, but with Jefferson’s remarkable play and the Cyclones’ collective efforts, they seem ready for any challenge that lies ahead.
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