AMES – Iowa State (1-0) flustered Green Bay (0-1) all night, scoring 27 points off of 16 Phoenix turnovers to secure a resounding 85-44 win on opening night of the 2023-24 collegiate basketball season.
ISU’s strong defense, along with an inspired offensive outing, pushed Iowa State easily past Green Bay as the team finished shooting 44.4% from downtown, owning at one time a lead as large as 46.
A pair of Cyclone newcomers had themselves a coming-out party as multiple fresh faces had big-time performances. True freshman Milan Momcilovic had it stuck on automatic from deep, canning 6-7 triples to lead all scorers on the evening with 18 points. Fellow newcomer Keshon Gilbert tallied 17 points, going 5-6 at the line, as he was the team’s second-leading scorer.
Returners Tamin Lipsey and Tre King also had solid nights, as both finished with double-digit point totals. Lipsey flirted with a triple-double (12 pts, 8 reb, 7 ast), while King nearly had himself a double-double (13 pts, 8 reb).
Green Bay had a pair of double-figure scorers as Noah Reynolds had a Phoenix-high 14 points with five rebounds, while Foster Wonders finished with 11 points with a triage of triples.
How It Happened
It was a sharp start to the 2023-24 season for the Cyclones, who came out gunning in the first half of game number one. Iowa State was led by a pair of newcomers in the first stanza, as Momcilovic (15) and Gilbert (10) paced ISU. The Cyclones shot 61% from the field and 64% from downtown, racing out to a 49-18 halftime lead, punctuated by a Momcilovic three-pointer at the buzzer.
Iowa State struck first and never looked back in the first 20 minutes, claiming a quick 9-0 lead. Though the offensive numbers stuck out, the first-half defensive numbers were just as impressive. Green Bay was limited to just five field goals, shooting just 23.8% from the field and 18.8 from three.
As Momcilovic led the Cyclones with 15, a trio of Phoenix had a team-high five points at the break. Iowa State turned Green Bay over 11 times in the first half, scoring 20 points off turnovers to GB’s 0.
Iowa State’s defensive pressure and offensive efficiency continued into the second half, as the Cyclones went on to win the game by 39 points. Both Kind and Gilbert had seven-point second halves to lead the team.
The Cyclones won their sixth-straight home opener with the win as T.J. Otzelberger moved to 42-27 as Iowa State head coach.
Top Performers
Plenty of Cyclones played well in the opener, but two performances stood out on the evening. Momcilovic drilled 6-7 three-pointers for a team-high 18 points to go along with seven rebounds in his first collegiate outing. Meanwhile, Lipsey was up to his old tricks, posting a near triple-double in the season-opener with 12 points, eight rebounds and a team-high seven assists.
Notes
Milan Momcilovic earned a start tonight as a true freshman. It’s the third straight season an ISU freshman has been in the starting five on opening night.
Momcilovic’s 18 points are tied for the fourth-most by a freshman in their opening contest in school history.
Momcilovic’s six three-pointers are the most ever by an ISU freshman in a season-opener.
Robert Jones scored his 300th field goal.
Curtis Jones played in his 60th career contest.
Lipsey earned career assist number 150 on the evening and now sits at 153.
What’s Next
After its season-opener, Iowa State will return to action on Thursday, Nov. 9, when it welcomes Lindenwood to Hilton Coliseum. The Lions and Cyclones will tip off at 7 p.m. and the game will be streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
