Buckle up, basketball fans! This is a play-by-play recap of the intense matchup between the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Iowa State Cyclones on January 2, 2026. Get ready for a whirlwind of fouls, turnovers, and clutch shots! Let's dive in.
Starting at 19:43, we see Milan Momcilovic commit a personal foul, with Treysen Eaglestaff drawing the call. The game continues with missed shots and defensive rebounds, setting the stage for the action to come. At 19:02, Honor Huff steps up to the free-throw line, sinking all three attempts, bringing the score to 31-41.
As the clock ticks down, the Cyclones start to pull away. At 18:08, Tamin Lipsey makes both free throws, increasing the lead. Chance Moore follows suit at 17:53, making one free throw but missing the second. The back-and-forth continues, with both teams battling for possession.
Then, at 16:52, Chance Moore hits both free throws, extending the Cyclones' lead to 34-43. Dominykas Pleta then scores a driving dunk, assisted by Tamin Lipsey, bringing the score to 34-45. Joshua Jefferson adds free throws to the scoreboard, making it 34-47.
At 15:33, Chance Moore makes a putback layup, and the score is 36-47. After a TV timeout, Tamin Lipsey scores a layup at 14:32, assisted by Joshua Jefferson, making the score 36-49. Then, Milan Momcilovic hits a three-pointer, assisted by Joshua Jefferson, bringing the score to 36-52.
The Cyclones continue to dominate, with Chance Moore and Blake Buchanan adding to the score. Milan Momcilovic is on fire, hitting multiple three-pointers, with the score reaching 38-59 and then 40-62. The Mountaineers try to keep up, but the Cyclones' defense proves tough.
As the game progresses, DJ Thomas and Jamarion Batemon add points for the Cyclones, while Jasper Floyd and Nate Heise contribute for the Mountaineers. The score climbs to 44-65, with the Cyclones maintaining a comfortable lead.
At the end of the game, the Cyclones are still in control. DJ Thomas hits multiple three-pointers, and the score goes to 52-72. Milan Momcilovic and others continue to add to the score, and the Cyclones' lead widens. Finally, Amir Jenkins makes a three-pointer in the final seconds, ending the game with a score of 59-80.
A few key takeaways: The Cyclones' consistent scoring and strong defense were crucial. The Mountaineers struggled to keep pace, facing tough competition throughout the game. What do you think? Were there any specific plays or players that stood out to you? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
