SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — No. 18 Iowa State opened its men’s basketball season with an 80-76 loss to Memphis on Monday, November 2, as cold outside shooting and a foul-filled night spoiled the Cyclones’ debut at the Sanford Pentagon.
Ryan Prather Jr. scored 19 points to lead Iowa State, but Memphis guard Jayden Reid countered with a game-high 26 as the Tigers handed the Cyclones their first season-opening defeat since 2017.
Iowa State fell to 0-1, marking the first time the Cyclones have held a losing record during coach T.J. Otzelberger’s tenure. Memphis improved to 1-0.
Memphis wins battle beyond the arc
The teams combined for 50 fouls and 65 free-throw attempts in a contest that lasted two hours and 32 minutes before 3,458 fans.
Three-point shooting provided a decisive difference. Memphis connected on nine of 20 attempts, including seven of 10 in the second half. Iowa State finished four of 20 from deep and made just one of its 11 second-half attempts.
Luke Almodovar scored 18 points and Rihards Vavers added 15 for Memphis, with each making three 3-pointers. Reid hit both of his attempts from beyond the arc and went 12-for-14 at the free-throw line.
The Cyclones shot 43.1 percent overall and held advantages in paint scoring, 38-26, and bench production, 38-13. Memphis countered with a 14-5 edge in fast-break points and outrebounded Iowa State 38-36.
Iowa State also left 10 points at the foul line, finishing 22-for-32. Memphis made 25 of 33.
Prather, Pleta and Singleton provide bright spots
Prather made three of Iowa State’s four 3-pointers, finishing three-for-six from long range and six-for-11 overall. He was the only Cyclone to make more than one 3-pointer.
Dominykas Pleta gave Iowa State an efficient scoring boost off the bench, producing 15 points on seven-for-eight shooting in just over 11 minutes.
Tre Singleton recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, including six offensive boards. He also had two steals and a blocked shot.
Tamin Lipsey scored 12 points in his 138th appearance for Iowa State, tying him for second in program history in games played. Jaquan Johnson added nine points, all at the free-throw line, and a team-high three assists.
Cyclones cannot hold second-half lead
Iowa State fell behind 4-0 after early fouls and turnovers, then battled through a first half featuring repeated lead changes.
The Cyclones built a 37-32 advantage late in the half, but Memphis answered. A Tigers dunk at the horn sent Iowa State into halftime trailing 40-39.
The Cyclones then went scoreless for the opening four minutes of the second half. They recovered to take a 46-45 lead with approximately 14 minutes remaining, but that proved to be their final advantage.
Memphis had an answer for each subsequent push. The Tigers led for 32:36 of the game, while Iowa State held the lead for just 4:42.
Southern Miss visits Hilton Coliseum next
Iowa State will seek its first victory Friday, November 6, when Southern Miss visits Hilton Coliseum for the Cyclones’ home opener.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Central, with coverage on ESPN+.