Keshon Gilbert dominates in Iowa State's decisive victory over Omaha

In Ames, Iowa, the Iowa State Cyclones achieved a significant victory against the Omaha Mavericks on a Sunday game, securing an impressive 83-51 win. The Cyclones, who hold a ranking of No. 3, improved their season record to 9-1 following this match. The game kicked off with both teams exchanging leads, but Iowa State managed to regroup despite initially committing eight turnovers. A pivotal moment was marked by a remarkable 20-2 run that the Cyclones executed to end the first half, a shift that clearly set the tone for the remainder of the game. \n\nKey contributors to this win included Keshon Gilbert, who was the leading scorer with 16 points. Support came from Joshua Jefferson and Milan Momcilovic, each adding 13 points and two steals to the team's efforts. Tamin Lipsey contributed 11 points while Nate Heise came off the bench to score 10 points. The Mavericks battled valiantly, with Tony Osburn leading their scoring with 13 points, and Isaac Ondekane following with 12 points. Notably, Marquel Sutton, who was Omaha’s top scorer for the season at 16.2 points per game, was effectively contained and limited to just three points during this match. \n\nThe victory marked another milestone for Iowa State, as they recorded at least 80 points in a program record 10th consecutive game. Furthermore, the Cyclones extended their home nonconference winning streak to an impressive 33 games. The team's performance in this game highlighted their offensive strength, particularly in scoring within the paint, where they tallied a season-high 50 points. Despite a rocky start, where turnovers plagued their execution, the transition to a well-structured offense was evident as they found their rhythm post the first half's run. \n\nLooking ahead, Omaha will prepare to host Cal Poly on the following Saturday evening, hoping to redeem themselves after this challenging defeat. Meanwhile, Iowa State is set to face Morgan State next Sunday, building on their current momentum. With five players scoring in double figures, the Cyclones demonstrated a well-rounded offensive game but faced an unusual situation where their leading scorer for the season, Curtis Jones, was limited to only four points. However, he did manage to achieve season highs in assists and steals, showcasing the depth of Iowa State's roster beyond just scoring.