Second Half Comeback Powers ISU Past VCU

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.

Their starting backcourt spearheaded the Cyclone rally, 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 ten 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.

How It Happened
Iowa State saw its offensive success from the first four games vanish early, as the Cyclones shot just 22.6 percent from the floor in the first half. VCU opened up a game-high 15-point lead at the 1:35 mark of the first stanza.

The Cyclones closed the half strong, as a pair of triples from Lipsey cut the Ram lead to just six at the break. VCU was shooting 55 percent from the field at the break and 50 percent from downtown, powering the nine-point halftime lead.

VCU held tough at the beginning of the second half, holding off ISU's attempts at cutting the lead. It wasn't until about the halfway point of the second period that the Cyclones were able to cut the game to one possession.

An emphatic Tre King slam at the 10:51 mark seemed to be the turning point for Iowa State, but the Rams had the counter, going on another run and pushing the VCU lead back to 10 points with six minutes remaining.

Gilbert would go on to rattle off five straight for the Cyclones, halving the VCU lead with 4:24 left on the clock. Lipsey had some massive plays down the stretch, ultimately cutting the lead to one with 1:45 left before earning an illegal screen call on VCU to get the ball back.

On the following Cyclone possession, Lipsey cashed a floater to put Iowa State in the lead for the first time since the 12-minute mark of the first half, 65-64. ISU would go on to ice the game, holding strong on defense and converting free throws on the other end, earning a four-point victory.

A career-high 22 points (and the Lead!) for @TaminLipsey!#Cyclones | #C5C pic.twitter.com/pvfjBWRro4
— Iowa State Men's Basketball (@CycloneMBB) November 24, 2023

Top Performers
Gilbert and Lipsey each had a whale of a contest, earning co-players of the game. Gilbert went for 22 points with ten 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, November 24, facing the winner of the Boise State/Virginia Tech game. Tomorrow's action is set for 4:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN2.

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Team Stats

Tamin Lipsey

Keshon Gilbert

Robert Jones

Tre King

Players Mentioned

Keshon Gilbert

Robert Jones

Tre King

Tamin Lipsey

Players Mentioned

Keshon Gilbert

Robert Jones

Tre King

Tamin Lipsey

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