RECAP: Cowboys Lose Heartbreaker in Ames 86-83

It was an uncontested layup from Matt Thomas that iced the game for the Cyclones, but it wasn’t as easy of a win as it appeared like it was going to be around the midway point of the second half. The layup came on a defensive breakdown after what appeared to be a call that you are only going to get on senior night at home.

1) Jawun Evans got shoved out of the way. No call.
2) Monte Morris was on the line when he touched the ball. No call.
3) The ball seemed to simultaneously go out off both Jeffrey Carroll and Morris. If that happens, call stays with what was on the floor. Cowboy ball.

Anyway.....

The Cowboys played from behind for most of the first half, but Iowa State was only able to get a lead of eight points before the Cowboys whittled it back down to one point heading into the break.

The incredible stat is Iowa State’s shot selection. The Cyclones went into the break with 28 shots. THEY SHOT 19 OF THEM FROM BEHIND THE 3-POINT LINE. I knew the Cyclones liked to shoot the deep shot, but damn, only nine shots from inside 3-point line? That’s insane.

The Cowboys shot well from the field as well in the first half, making 14-of-29 and 6-of-10 from behind the arc.

The best part? The refs mostly stayed out of it, and only called nine total fouls in the half.

Someone must have told them this fact, because they made up for it in the second half. With 11:38 left in the game, there were already more fouls called (10) than there were in the entirety of the first half, including this absolute travesty called on Solomon.

Davon Dillard got a foul for jumping and then Coach Underwood got T’d up for letting the refs know how bad the call was.

ISU used a 16-6 run that spanned 5:01 to push the lead to double digits, but that margin didn’t last long. The Cowboys used an 11-5 run of their own to pull back within four with about seven minutes to go. Iowa State threatened to pull away, but the Cowboys refused to throw in the towel, taking the game down to the final seconds.

Let’s give credit where credit is due. Thomas (almost) single-handedly beat the Cowboys, going 7-of-11 from 3-point land, scoring 25 to tie a career high on senior night. The Cowboys had no idea how to stop Thomas, and the senior showed out in front of a sold-out Hilton Coliseum.

Monte Morris was a rebound away from a triple double tonight, scoring 12 points, grabbing nine boards, and dropping 11 dimes. It was not a great night for one of the best players in the conference, but it was enough.

All-in-all, the Cyclones shot the lights out tonight, making 15 of their 31 3-point attempts and shooting 27-58 overall from the field.

Senior Leyton Hammonds tried his best to duel with the Cyclones’ sharpshooters, making five of his own nine 3-point attempts. He finished with 19 points and four rebounds.

Evans was a man possessed trying to keep the Cowboys in the game. He scored a game high 29 points, shooting 8-15 from the field, 4-6 from behind the arc and 9-9 from the free throw line. He collected four rebounds and dished six assists in the loss.

Here are the final stats, courtesy of ESPN.

With the loss, the Cowboys fall to 20-10 (9-8 Big 12), and are guaranteed to finish at .500 in the Big 12 schedule. Considering OSU started its conference season 0-6, that is an incredible stat in Brad Underwood’s first season.

Up next, the Cowboys host their own senior night when they welcome the No. 1-ranked Kansas Jayhawks to GIA for the final regular-season game Saturday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. from the historic arena.

Cowboy fans, I leave you with this.