Iowa State basketball falls in Houston

No. 6 Iowa State lost to No. 2 Houston on Monday night 73-65 in Big 12 men's basketball.

Houston took sole possession of first place in the toughest basketball conference in the United States. The Cyclones fell to 20-6, 9-4. Houston is 23-3, 10-3.

This was only the third time in Iowa State history that the Cyclones participated in a road game that featured two top-10 teams (the others: losses to Kansas in 1957 and 1997).

Here's a look at how the game played out:

Peterson: Iowa State basketball has nothing to be ashamed of after loss to No. 2 Houston

Final: Houston 73, Iowa State 65

Second half, 1:41 mark: Houston 67, Iowa State 59

It wasn't Tamin Lipsey's night, but Keshon Gilbert has done his best to make up for it. It looks like Houston is going to hold on for its 20th straight home win. Iowa State has given the Cougars a really good battle. However, it takes some magic to achieve this.

Second half, 4:00 mark: Houston 59, Iowa State 52

Iowa State has been amazing on the forums. Houston is a dominant rebounding team, but tonight the Cyclones have a +12 edge in that category. Very impressive.

Wow, Tre King knows how to pick his spots. He's not known as a 3-point shooter, but he hit some big ones against Kansas a few weeks ago and tonight he'll do it again, 3-for-3 against Houston. He will keep ISU in this game.

The free throws have been atrocious for both teams. ISU 6 of 11, Houston 13 of 20.

Do the Cyclones have one last push?

Second half, 7:47 mark: Houston 53, Iowa State 47

Ooooooh those missed free throws. The Cyclones won't have many opportunities tonight, so they need to take advantage of them and make the most of them. So far they are not. They got 6 out of 10 right.

The good news is that the Cyclones are finally starting to get some calls on the offensive end.

Houston seems happy shooting 3-pointers at times. That may not be a bad thing for ISU (the Cougars are 6 of 22 from long range).

Meanwhile, Tre King (!) with a big three-pointer at the 8:10 mark to leave a four-point margin.

Jamal Shead is a problem for ISU tonight. He leads Houston with 19 points.

This is a really good game.

Second half, 11:43 mark: Houston 46, Iowa State 41

Things may be getting too physical. Keshon Gilbert was practically tackled on a baseline drive (fortunately, a foul was called). He recovered quickly enough to hit a 3-pointer a few seconds later. You have to give credit to Iowa State strength and conditioning coach Pete Link.

Curt Jones then hit a three-pointer to cut the lead to 46-41. Houston keeps trying to pull away, but the Cyclones are battle-tested and won't go away easily.

Iowa State is finding its punch from the outside, going 6 for 13 now. Maybe that's the path to victory, after all.

Second half, 15:48 mark: Houston 40, Iowa State 32

TJ Otzelberger and his Cyclones have to appreciate how Houston is playing tonight. The Cougars are as physical as possible (ask Tamin Lipsey how that screen felt) and always seem to have a defender (or two or three) exactly where they need to be. That's exactly how the Cyclones play, except Houston is doing a little better tonight.

Tre King hit a much-needed 3-pointer to cut off Houston's momentum for a second or two.

Halftime: Houston 28, Iowa State 23

Iowa State coach TJ Otzelberger was fired up after his Cyclones held the Cougars scoreless on the final possession of the half. Iowa State trails by just five points and Otzelberger has to feel good about where his team is despite shooting 33% from the floor and making just three free throws (Houston shot 15).

A BIG three-pointer by Curt Jones with 33 seconds left in the half cut the deficit to 28-23. Jones has both of ISU's three-pointers tonight.

First half, 1:40 mark: Houston 26, Iowa State 20

The defense never takes a day off, especially when the referees allow a lot of contact. And the defense keeps Iowa State in this game. Milan Momcilovic too (7 points). The Cyclones are in good shape and in this game.

Free throws: Houston 15, Iowa State 3

First half, 3:15 mark: Houston 24, Iowa State 16

Hello Milan Momcilovic! The Wisconsin freshman had a big three-point play (a 15-footer+1) to bring Iowa State within 22-14. He then hit another jumper on the next possession. Cyclones need to be heated and kept warm.

If you love defense and physical play, this is the game for you. So far, the Cyclones and Cougars have combined for 15 field goals and 14 turnovers.

Iowa State star sophomore Tamin Lipsey is off to a particularly rough start. 0 for 6, three turnovers.

First half, 7:10 mark: Houston 19, Iowa State 8

Kelvin Sampson's team looks set to avenge its Jan. 9 loss in Ames. The Cyclones cruised to a 57-53 victory that night. Iowa State has work to do, particularly on the offensive end.

ESPN's Fran Fraschilla is right: Iowa State needs to drive hard to the basket and try to get Houston into foul trouble. Easier said than done, but probably a better strategy than shooting threes when they're not falling (0 of 6).

(Although tonight's refs seem content to swallow their whistles unless they see blood. At least when ISU has the ball. Free throws: Houston 10, Iowa State 0.)

Houston has won 19 in a row at home, the longest home winning streak in the country. The Fertitta Center is only half the size of the Hilton Coliseum, but there is a lot of noise there.

TJ Otzelberger's team just has to keep fighting, try to keep that margin within single digits at halftime and see what happens. Maybe those shots that aren't falling now (4 of 17 field goals) will start going through the net later.

First half, 12:00 mark: Houston 11, Iowa State 4

It looks like it will be difficult to get points. Iowa State is 2 of 8 from the field. Houston is 5 for 13. The teams are a combined 1 for 9 from 3-point range and have nine turnovers between them.

Tre King scored the Cyclones' second basket off a nifty assist from Keshon Gilbert.

Side note: Remember when refs used to call a technical foul for hanging on the rim?

First half, 15:55 mark: Houston 5, Iowa State 2

The home team has a little more pep in their step at the start. But true to form, there isn't much offense and much defense so far. Rob Jones with a steal and then finishing it off with an athletic play to put the Cyclones on the board. Emanuel Sharp has a 2 and a 3 for Houston.

8:00 pm: Soon notice

As usual, the expected time of the announcement was just a rumor. Looks like we'll start around 8:07.

A pregame note according to ESPN: Iowa State ranks seventh in the country in points allowed per game. Houston ranks first in that category.

So, obviously, expect a low-scoring game. Over/under is 133 per DraftKings, which actually feels a little high.

Iowa State is an 8-point underdog coming into the game.

Boog Sciambi and Fran Fraschilla on the call. One of our favorite broadcast tandems.