Iowa State cyclones guard Keshon Gilbert plays against Marquette Golden Eagles forward David Joplin. Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

No. 6 Iowa State tops No. 5 Marquette at home in Top 10 battle

By Austen Bundy | Last updated Dec 4, 2024 10:32 PM ET

The pre-March college basketball schedule tends to not get as much love as it deserves, and Wednesday night was further proof of that.

A Top 10 matchup between No. 5 Marquette and No. 6 Iowa State was forced from traditional television to streaming on subscription-based ESPN+.

So, not many people got to view the impressive battle at Hilton Coliseum, a 81-70 upset for the Cyclones.

The huge Quad 1 win for Iowa State started with the team taking an extended 10-point lead in the first half on the back of senior Dishon Jackson.

No. 6 Iowa State has opened up an early 10-point lead over No. 5 Marquette

(via @CycloneMBB)pic.twitter.com/flDRRUcRfW
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) December 5, 2024

Iowa State shot a blistering 50.8 percent from the field on Wednesday, draining half a dozen three-point shots to aid in its upset bid.

Senior Keshon Gilbert led the team with 24 points, but it was junior Joshua Jefferson who really put in the work around the boards and recorded a double-double (15 points, 12 rebounds).

Marquette didn't go out without a fight, however, tying the game midway through the second half at 61 points before the Cyclones' offensive prowess took off to close regulation.

Iowa State (6-1) now turns its focus on Jackson State (Dec. 8) before preparing for an in-state rivalry game against Iowa (Dec. 12) for the Cy-Hawk Trophy.

Marquette (8-1) dropped its first game of the season in Ames, the first loss against a Big 12 opponent since head coach Shaka Smart took over the program in 2021.

And the Golden Eagles won't get a reprieve to regroup as they'll face No. 11 Wisconsin at home Dec. 7 in what might be a must-win affair if it wishes to avoid hitting the fringes of the AP Top 25.

Austen Bundy

Austen Bundy is a journalist and sports junkie from the Washington, D. C. area

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