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Cyclones Crush West Virginia; Remain Undefeated at 14-0

1/4/2026

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Summary

Cyclones Dominate West Virginia

No. 3 Iowa State Cyclones defeated West Virginia 80-59 in the Big 12 opener on January 2, 2026, in Ames, Iowa, improving to 14-0.
Milan Momcilovic led the Cyclones with 26 points, shooting 8-for-10 from three-point range.
Joshua Jefferson recorded a triple-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
West Virginia was without Brenen Lorient.

Summary

Cyclones Edge Mountaineers

The Iowa State Cyclones defeated the West Virginia Mountaineers in a game marked by tense closing minutes, with Nate Heise of the Iowa State Cyclones facing a crucial foul on a layup attempt.
Fans at Hilton Coliseum felt the tension during the late-stage sequence.
This season, underdog teams will bring energy and tenacity to their matches, potentially pushing the Cyclones to perform under pressure.

History

Historical Context

The Big 12 Conference was established in 1996, merging the eight members of the Big Eight Conference with four from the Southwest Conference, including Texas and Texas A&M. This formation reshaped college athletics, fostering intense rivalries and competitive play. Notably, Iowa State's 14-0 start in the 2026 season exemplifies the evolving dynamics and unpredictability within the conference, impacting future matchups and fan engagement.

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Cyclones Dominate West Virginia

No. 3 Iowa State Cyclones defeated West Virginia 80-59 in the Big 12 opener on January 2, 2026, in Ames, Iowa, improving to 14-0.
Milan Momcilovic led the Cyclones with 26 points, shooting 8-for-10 from three-point range.
Joshua Jefferson recorded a triple-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
West Virginia was without Brenen Lorient.

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