Nov 26, 2024; Lahaina, Hawaii, USA; Iowa State Cyclones forward Joshua Jefferson (2) defends Dayton Flyers guard Malachi Smith (11) in the second half at Lahaina Civic Center. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-Imagn Images
Iowa State’s Joshua Jefferson compiled his most modest stat line as a Cyclone in Tuesday’s tense matchup with Dayton at the Maui Invitational, but when his team needed a big play, he delivered.
Jefferson did so multiple times in the second half, and completed a critical three-point play in the final 20 minutes to help No. 5 ISU hold off the Flyers, 89-84, Tuesday in Lahaina, Hawai’i.
“When they look at resumes, this game is gonna be really important,” Jefferson said on the Cyclone Radio Network. “(It) just showed the toughness that we have as a group. I’m just happy that we came out with the win and the perseverance that he showed tonight.”
Jefferson scored all seven of his points in the second half and snared his only steal of the game when Dayton had the chance to take the lead with 6:50 remaining. He also drained a pair of free throws with 18 seconds left to turn a one-possession lead into a five-point advantage.
“It’s a 40-minute game, so if things aren’t going right right away, later on, you’ve just gotta keep playing,” the 6-8 St. Mary’s transfer said. “Just making defensive plays — anything you can to dictate winning, I’m trying to do.”
ISU (4-1) will face Colorado in the tournament’s fifth-place game at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday Iowa time. The Buffaloes (5-1) beat two-time defending national champion Connecticut, 73-72, on a last-second basket. The No. 2 Huskies lost their second straight game in the final moments at Maui — highlighting how tough the field is in this vaunted event.
“This is such a great tournament,” Cyclone head coach T.J. Otzelberger, whose team both trailed and led by as many as nine points to Dayton (5-2). “I’m not sure there’s ever been a stronger field here. And you know every game is gonna be a war — and we’ve already had two.”
ISU blew an 18-point lead in an 83-81 quarterfinal loss to No. 4 Auburn, and endured similar struggles on the defensive end against the Flyers, who coincidentally let a 21-point lead over No. 12 North Carolina slip in their opening game. Dayton shot 64 percent from the field in the first half and 58 percent overall.
Malachi Smith scored 22 points on 7-for-9 shooting to lead the Flyers.
Keshon Gilbert paced the Cyclones for the second straight game with 24 points. The senior guard and former UNLV transfer has drained 14 of his 18 field goal attempts on Maui and 18 of his 21 free throw tries. Fellow senior guard Curtis Jones added 19 points, with 12 coming in the second half.
“They’re smart, they’re tough, they’re competitive,” Otzelberger said. “Both guys really stepped up when we needed it.”
ISU overcame a rare sub-par performance from star point guard Tamin Lipsey, who scored six points in 16 minutes while battling foul trouble all night. He fouled out with 2:42 left and failed to record a rebound for the first time in his Cyclone career.
“Our bench, I thought, was the best it’s been so far this year,” Otzelberger said of his non-starters, who outscored their Dayton counterparts, 30-12. “Thought all those guys (who) came in were really impactful to bring us a win.”
Jones’ 19 points came off the bench. Brandton Chatflield added five points, Nojus Indrusaitis chipped in four, and Nate Heise scored two in reserve roles.
“Obviously, that (game against Auburn) was a tough one to lose,” said Heise, who also kept a key possession alive by tipping a rebound to a teammate. “But the good thing about these tournaments is you’ve got the next one the next day. We obviously want to keep winning and get two wins out of the tournament.”
