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Iowa State Defends Title in Thrilling Big 12 Quarterfinal Matchup

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Iowa State Basketball Team Action March Madness

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Iowa State Cyclones edged out BYU 72-70 in a nail-biting quarterfinal of the 2025 Big 12 Championship held at T-Mobile Center on March 13. This victory positions Iowa State to defend their title, having won the championship in 2024 against Houston.

The Cyclones began the game strong, topping the scoreboard early. They maintained a slim lead throughout the contest, notably bolstered by a consistent defense and key plays in the final minutes. Iowa State entered this tournament as a formidable contender, following an impressive 14-6 record in the conference play.

In a tense second half, both teams battled fiercely for control. Iowa State’s Brandton Chatfield made a critical substitution around the 10-minute mark, enhancing the team’s offensive strategy. “Every moment counts in a game like this,” Chatfield said postgame. “We knew we had to stay aggressive, particularly on defense.”

Field goal shooting was a decisive factor, with Iowa State landing 61.7% of their shots compared to BYU’s 51%. Both teams excelled from beyond the arc, with the Cyclones shooting 52.4% on three-point attempts. Iowa State’s ability to capitalize on turnovers proved essential, scoring 15 points off mistakes made by BYU players.

Throughout the match, the Cyclones’ star player delivered crucial contributions, finishing with a game-high 22 points. The tightly contested bout also saw Iowa State dominating the boards with 18 rebounds compared to BYU’s 17, an essential stat as they battled for second chance opportunities.

This year’s tournament kicked off on March 11 and will continue with the semifinals on March 14, and championship game scheduled for March 15. Iowa State will aim to replicate their success from 2024, where they clinched their sixth title.

The future looks bright for Iowa State as they advance to the next round, with the possibility of becoming back-to-back champions. Their next opponent will be determined pending the outcome of other quarterfinal matchups.

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