The Iowa State Cyclones faced off against the Marquette Golden Eagles on December 4, 2024, as both teams vied for dominance in this intensifying season. The game, held at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, ended with a final score of 79-67 in favor of the Golden Eagles. Marquette, showcasing their strategic gameplay, saw a standout performance from Kam Jones, who scored 24 points and contributed significantly to their victory. Head Coach Shaka Smart praised his team’s resilience, stating, “Our guys showed great heart and determination tonight. We executed our game plan well and held off a tough Cyclones squad.”
On the other hand, Iowa State struggled to maintain consistency throughout the match. Despite a commendable effort from point guard Tamin Lipsey, who led the team with 20 points and 5 assists, the Cyclones couldn’t close the gap. Coach T.J. Otzelberger remarked, “We have to learn from this experience and come back stronger. Our performance in the first half was not up to our standards, and we need to ensure we play a full 40 minutes.”
The matchup highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of both teams ahead of the upcoming conference play, with Marquette improving their record to 8-2, while Iowa State fell to a 6-4 record. Fans and analysts alike are keen to see how both squads adapt as the season progresses, with key matchups coming up for both in the next weeks.
