Iowa State Cyclones Secure Preseason Victory Over Northwestern Wildcats

On October 26, 2025, the No. 16 Iowa State Cyclones triumphed over the Northwestern Wildcats with a final score of 80-72 in an exhibition game held at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. The Cyclones showcased a strong second half, outscoring the Wildcats by 11 points after trailing by three at halftime. Key contributors for Iowa State included Nate Heise, who led the team with 19 points, and Joshua Jefferson, who added 17 points and seven rebounds. Dominick Nelson also made a significant impact off the bench with 17 points and four steals.

Cyclones Surge Past Northwestern in Second ExhibitionWildcats Drop Exhibition at No. 16 Iowa State, 80-72Killyan Toure, ISU shines in Sunday’s 80-72 exhibition win over NorthwesternDes Moines Register

The game began with Northwestern establishing an early lead, going up 12-6 within the first few minutes. However, Iowa State responded with a 12-0 run, taking control and pushing their lead to 24-16. The Wildcats managed to regain their composure, with Nick Martinelli scoring 20 points overall, including a buzzer-beater three-pointer that gave Northwestern a 40-37 lead at halftime. The first half featured eight ties and five lead changes, highlighting the competitive nature of the matchup.

Wildcats Drop Exhibition at No. 16 Iowa State, 80-72

Iowa State's performance improved significantly in the second half, particularly in their shooting efficiency. The Cyclones made four consecutive three-pointers early in the half, which helped them regain the lead and extend it to as much as 11 points. Despite a late push from Northwestern, which included back-to-back three-pointers that cut the lead to four, Iowa State maintained control and secured the victory.

Wildcats Drop Exhibition at No. 16 Iowa State, 80-72

Iowa State finished the game shooting 50% from the field and 41% from three-point range, while Northwestern shot 46% overall. The Cyclones also excelled in free throw shooting, converting 81% of their attempts. Iowa State outperformed Northwestern in several key areas, including bench points (24 to 14) and points in the paint (34 to 28).

Wildcats Drop Exhibition at No. 16 Iowa State, 80-72

Despite the loss, Northwestern's head coach Chris Collins noted the potential of his team, particularly praising freshman forward Tre Singleton, who scored 14 points and demonstrated maturity on the court. Collins acknowledged the need for improvement in defensive stops, especially in the closing minutes of the game.

The Daily Northwestern

Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, particularly highlighting the energy and impact of players like Heise and Toure. "That Nate Heise right there is the guy that we know that he is," Otzelberger stated, emphasizing the importance of consistent performance as the regular season approaches.

Killyan Toure, ISU shines in Sunday’s 80-72 exhibition win over Northwestern

Both teams are set to continue their preseason preparations, with Iowa State scheduled to face Fairleigh Dickinson on November 3, 2025, marking the official start of their season. Northwestern will host Illinois State for their next exhibition on October 29, 2025.

Des Moines Register

• “That Nate Heise right there is the guy that we know that he is,” — T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State Head Coach

Killyan Toure, ISU shines in Sunday’s 80-72 exhibition win over Northwestern

• “It’s like he was almost born to play here,” — Chris Collins, Northwestern Head Coach, on Killyan Toure

Killyan Toure, ISU shines in Sunday’s 80-72 exhibition win over Northwestern

This exhibition game served as a crucial opportunity for both teams to assess their rosters and strategies ahead of the competitive season.

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