Courtesy: cyclones.com
STILLWATER, OK – STILLWATER, Okla. – An all-time classic played out at Gallager-Iba Arena Monday night as No. 16 Iowa State got its first win in Stillwater since 1988 as the Cyclones (17-4, 5-4 Big 12) defeated No. 19 Oklahoma State (16-6, 4-5 Big 12), 98-97 in three overtimes.
The Cyclones were able to take sizable leads early in each half, but OSU fought back on each occasion to eventually take a lead. It was ISU who had to battle back and force overtime. The Cyclones got a four-point lead in the first overtime, but the Cowboys were able to rally and tie it up. The Cyclones had a chance for a last shot, but Monté Morris lost the handle on his baseline drive and was unable to get a shot up, leading to a second OT.
Down 89-86 with 15.9 seconds to go, Kane got a big rebound off a Matt Thomas missed 3-pointer and fed Naz Long for his first 3-pointer in over two weeks with 1.4 seconds left to tie the game and force a third overtime.
After empty possessions to start the overtime, Morris found Hogue open from 18-feet to put ISU back ahead at 91-89. Le’Bryan Nash, who carried OSU through the second overtime, drained a 14-footer of his own to tie it back up at 91-91. After a Melvin Ejim missed jumper, Marcus Smart powered his way inside for a lay-in to restore Oklahoma State’s lead at 93-91.
After both team missed 3-pointers, Kane got himself back to the free throw line and converted both shots to tie the game again at 93-93. Nash re-stored the Cowboys lead with another tough lay-in to make it 95-93. Hogue missed a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession to give the Cowboys another chance to put the game away. However, Brown lost the handle on his way to the hole and ISU was back on the run.
Long faked a drive to the hole and kicked it to Morris who nailed his first 3-pointer of the night to restore the ISU lead at 96-95 with 39.5 seconds remaining. Brian Williams got lose underneath the hoop, but Nash’s feed was just a little out of reach and, gave ISU the chance to increase its lead. Long was the man who made his way to the line, putting away both free throws to make it 98-95 Cyclones with 21.8 seconds to play.
The Cowboys got a quick two on a Markel Brown dunk to make it 98-97, the Cyclones then lost the in-bound pass to give it back to Okie State. Smart posted up Kane, but missed on the fadeaway. Hogue secured the rebound, but Williams was able to tie him up with 1.9 seconds left and the possession arrow favoring OSU. Nash got a look on the baseline, but it bricked off the rim and the Cyclones left victorious.