No. 16 Iowa State (3-0) returns home to Hilton Coliseum to host the Stonehill College Skyhawks (1-4) on Monday night (7:00 p.m., ESPN+).
The Cyclones are coming off a dominant 96-80 win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Iowa State had four in double-figures led by seniors Tamin Lipsey, who tallied 25 points, six rebounds, and three steals and Joshua Jefferson, who poured in 18 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
Stonehill College enters Ames under the direction of head coach Chris Kraus, who has been at the helm since 2013 and has overseen the program’s transition into Division I basketball. Kraus is a Stonehill alumnus and former player who has built his team around discipline and balance, emphasizing defensive toughness.
The Skyhawks are averaging 73.0 points per game this season, while holding opponents to just under 70 points. Kraus’s teams are known for their half-court defensive schemes, forcing opponents into contested shots. On offense, they rely on ball movement and perimeter shooting to create opportunities.
The centerpiece of Stonehill’s attack is sophomore guard Hermann Koffi, who has quickly emerged as one of the most dynamic scorers in the Northeast Conference. Koffi is averaging 14.2 points per game on 47.2 percent shooting from the field and an impressive 50 percent from three-point range.
He recently poured in 21 points against Loyola (MD), showcasing his ability to score at all three levels. At 6-foot-4 and 203 pounds, Koffi combines size and strength with a smooth shooting stroke, making him difficult to defend. His career highs include 27 points against DePaul on 7-10 shooting from behind the arc this season.
Alongside Koffi, Stonehill relies on shooters like Will Batchelder (10.3 ppg) and Raymond Espinal-Guzman (8.6 ppg), as well as the interior presence of 6-foot-11, 245-pound center Ridvan Tutic, to balance their offense. Defensively, the Skyhawks thrive on rotations and rebounding, but their youth has shown in stretches, particularly against high-major opponents, where turnovers and transition defense have been their kryptonite.
For Iowa State, the matchup comes on the heels of a convincing 96-80 win over Mississippi State at the Sanford Pentagon. The Cyclones dominated every aspect of that game and gave all the fans who made the trip to Sioux Falls happy. Here is what stood out to me the most in Iowa State’s win over the Bulldogs.
Iowa State’s Defensive Pressure Sets the Tone
Surprise! The defensive pressure was relentless… again. Iowa State forced 26 Bulldog turnovers, converting them into 29 points. That kind of disruption not only halted Mississippi State’s rhythm but also fueled Iowa State’s transition game, a hallmark of T.J. Otzelberger’s system. The Cyclones’ guards, led by Tamin Lipsey and Killyan Toure, applied ball pressure that suffocated Mississippi State’s backcourt, showing why Iowa State remains one of the nation’s premier defensive teams.
Lipsey’s Career Night Sparks the Offense
Tamin Lipsey’s offensive explosion provided the spark that gave the Cyclones their big lead. The senior guard scored a career-high 25 points on 9-of-17 shooting, including 14 points in the second half. He added six assists and three steals, proving he can control the game on both ends. Lipsey’s ability to penetrate and finish, combined with his improved three-point shooting, makes him a dual threat that opposing defenses must account for. His performance against Mississippi State just shows how important that guy is to Iowa State.
Balanced Scoring and Frontcourt Depth Provide Stability
Iowa State’s balanced scoring and frontcourt contributions highlighted their depth. Joshua Jefferson chipped in 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting, while Virginia transfer Blake Buchanan added 13 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. That kind of production from multiple positions makes the Cyclones difficult to guard, as opponents cannot simply key in on Lipsey, Jefferson, and Momcilovic.
The frontcourt’s ability to finish inside and protect the rim gave Iowa State control of the paint. It will be fun to see the growth that Buchanan, Dominykas Pleta, and Eric Mulder make as the season goes on. Those three will have a great test next week at the Players Era Tournament in Las Vegas.
