KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Iowa State (5-0, 0-0 Big 12) rallied from a 15-point first half deficit to down VCU (3-2, 0-0 A10) Thanksgiving afternoon, shooting 60 percent from the floor in the second stanza to earn its fifth win of the season.

Iowa State has now won the opening round of a Thanksgiving tournament for the third straight season, starting 5-0 for the third straight season.

For the first time this season, Iowa State faced adversity, trailing for the majority of the game as the Rams held the advantage for over 35 minutes of game time.

The Cyclone rally was spearheaded by their starting backcourt, as guards Tamin Lipsey and Keshon Gilbert had themselves an afternoon, each dropping 22 points in a comeback ISU effort. Gilbert matched a career-high with 10 rebounds, earning his first career double-double.

Lipsey surpassed his personal best of 21 points, dropping 22 huge ones – 14 of which came in the second half. Gilbert was able to control the game throughout the second period, getting to the foul line at will as the UNLV transfer went 12-15 from the charity stripe.

Robert Jones chipped in 12 points with five rebounds and was a consistent presence for the Cyclones throughout the afternoon, going 6-7 from the field.

Top Performers

Gilbert and Lipsey each had a whale of a contest, earning co-players of the game. Gilbert went for 22 points with 10 boards, cashing 12 freebies at the line to go along with a pair of assists. Lipsey meanwhile matched Gilbert’s offensive output, pulling down seven boards and knocking down a pair of three-balls.

Notes

• Tre King has now played in over 500 minutes of action at ISU.
• Tamin Lipsey recorded a new career-high with 22 points, surpassing his previous best of 21 against Lindenwood.
  • He has now played over 1,100 minutes in a Cyclone uniform.
  • Lipsey has surpassed 150 career rebounds and now sits at 154.
• Keshon Gilbert eclipsed the 500 career points mark, now sitting at 516.
• Robert Jones has now recorded 103 offensive boards with the Cyclones, pulling down four today.
  • Jones also is over 450 career boards, currently sitting at 453.

What’s Next

Iowa State will be back in action tomorrow, Nov. 24, facing Virginia Tech in the ESPN Events Invitational Semifinals. Tomorrow’s action is set for 4:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN2.

Game Notables

• Three Hawkeyes landed in double figures – Owen Freeman (13), Payton Sandfort (12) and Ben Krikke (11)
  • Freeman led the team, making 5-of-10 field goals for his second career game in double figures.  He also had a career-high seven rebounds.
  • The 13 points are the most by a Hawkeye freshman since the 2021-22 season. (Payton Sandfort, 21)
• Krikke scored 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting.  He has been in double figure in all five games.
• Sandfort made 5-of-10 field goals, landing in double figures for the fourth time in five games. He also tied for the team lead with seven rebounds.
• Iowa finished +9 on the glass, outrebounding OU, 44-35.
• The Hawkeyes went 0-for-10 from 3-point range in the first half and finished 4-of-23 from long range in the game.
  • Iowa didn’t connect on its first 3-pointer until the 12:44 mark in the second half.
• Iowa committed a season-high 14 turnovers in the game.  It was the first time this season the team has had more than seven turnovers.

Up Next

The Hawkeyes return to action Friday, facing the loser of the Seton Hall/USC game at 5 p.m. (CT) in the consolation game of the Rady Children’s Invitational in San Diego.  The game will be televised on FOX.

The fifth ranked Iowa women’s basketball team opens the Gulf Coast Showcase in Florida Friday night by taking on Purdue-Fort Wayne. The Hawkeyes are 4-1 while Purdue-Fort Wayne is 2-1. Their only loss was at the hands of Michigan.

That’s Iowa coach Lisa Bluder. The Hawkeyes could play Kansas State on Sunday. The Wildcats beat the Hawkeyes last week in Iowa City and Bluder says the Hawkeyes would like to have a rematch.

Bluder says playing three games in three days is good preparation for the post season.

Ranked 17th in the College Football Playoff Rankings the Iowa Hawkeyes close the regular season Friday at Nebraska. The Hawkeyes have already clinched a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game and a win over the Huskers would lock up the 11th 10-win season in program history. Nebraska needs a win to become bowl eligible and Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says the Huskers have made significant progress under first year coach Matt Rhule.

Even though they have already clinched the division title Ferentz says the Hawkeyes have a lot to play for.

Five of Iowa’s Big Ten wins have been by 10 points or less and this has the makings of another close game.

Ferentz says the players deserve credit for excelling in close games.

The Hawkeyes will be in search of their sixth straight victory in Lincoln. Listen for the pre-game show from Memorial Stadium at 9-a.m. on KJAN. The kick-off is at 11-a.m., Friday

(Radio Iowa) – The UNI women play Syracuse Friday afternoon in the opening round of the South Point Thanksgiving Shootout in Las Vegas. The Panthers are 1-2 after a loss at Ball State.

That’s Panther coach Tany Warren. UNI is shooting only 61 percent from the foul line and Warren says lack of confidence is a major factor.

Syracuse is 3-1 after a two point loss at Maryland.

Tip-off at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion, SD, is at 1-p.m., Friday.

Drake will be a decided underdog on Saturday when the Bulldogs visit eighth ranked North Dakota State in the opening round of the FCS Playoffs. The Bulldogs played at North Dakota State to open last season and this year played two ranked FCS foes in nonconference play.

That’s Drake coach Todd Stepsis who says to make a game of it the Bulldogs must keep the offense on the field.

The Bulldogs will try to find ways to hang in the game.

Top ranked and defending national champion Northwestern opens the NAIA playoffs at home against Dordt. Northwestern is unbeaten and has been top ranked all season.

That’s Red Raiders coach Matt McCarty. Northwestern beat Dordt during the regular season 35-14 back in October.

Dordt coach Joel Penner says they are excited about the rematch.

Penner says his team has grown up since suffering two regular season losses.

Penner says they will need to do a better job of making plays to have a chance.

Wartburg will host Whitworth University of Oregon in the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs on Saturday. The third ranked Knights opened with a win over Illinois College while Whitworth is 10-0 after a win over Chapman of California.

That’s Wartburg coach Chris Winter who says the Whitworth defense is strong up front.

Winter says Whitworth will provide a touch challenge.

The Iowa men’s basketball team is in San Diego for the Rady (Childrens invitational. The Hawkeyes open Thursday afternoon against Oklahoma. Hawkeye coach Fran McCaffery says holiday tournaments are always a good test.

McCaffery says these tournaments prepare teams for what is ahead.

Oklahoma is 4-0 and Sooner coach Porter Moser has a lot of new faces on the team.

The Hawkeyes will play either Seton Hall or USC Friday afternoon.

Iowa linebacker Nick Jackson says his one and only season with Iowa has been better than expected. The former All-ACC standout at Virginia transfered to Iowa and gave the linebacking corps an experience boiost. He had eight tackles and broke up two passes in last week’s division clinching victory over Illinois.

Jackson says the win over Illinois was a perfect way to end the home season.