A stunning upset took place on Saturday, as the No. 10 Iowa State Cyclones dominated the top-ranked Purdue Boilermakers, 81-58. This historic win not only tied the record for the largest ever by a top-ranked team at home but also showcased the incredible talent and determination of the Cyclones.
Milan Momcilovic led the charge with 20 points, and the Cyclones' 3-point shooting was on fire, with Momcilovic, Killyan Toure, and Joshua Jefferson each sinking three 3-pointers. The team's 59% shooting in the second half was a key factor in their success.
But here's where it gets controversial... The 23-point margin tied the record for the largest home loss by a No. 1 team, according to the NCAA. It's a feat that has only been achieved a handful of times, and the Cyclones' performance will go down in history.
"We knew we had to bring our A-game against an elite program like Purdue," said Cyclones coach T.J. Otzelberger. "Our players stepped up and executed with precision. We made the shots and plays needed to secure the win."
The turning point came in the second half when Iowa State went on an 11-0 run, taking a commanding 48-33 lead. Tamin Lipsey, Momcilovic, and Toure's consecutive 3-pointers were the nail in the coffin for Purdue.
From there, the Cyclones continued to build their lead, outshooting the Boilermakers and dominating on both ends of the court. Purdue's 15 turnovers and poor shooting from beyond the arc didn't help their cause.
"It was a tough loss, but we have to learn from it and improve," said Purdue coach Matt Painter. "Iowa State played with intensity and took control of the game. They deserved the win."
The loss ended Purdue's impressive streak of 36 consecutive non-conference home victories, dating back to 2019.
So, what do you think? Is this upset a sign of things to come for Iowa State, or was it a one-off performance? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Up next for the Cyclones: a home game against Iowa on Thursday night. Purdue will look to bounce back when they host Minnesota on Wednesday.
