Oklahoma Sooners upset ninth-ranked Iowa State Cyclones, 87-82

Jan 11, 2014; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Jordan Woodard (10) reacts to a foul with Iowa State Cyclones guard Monte Morris (11) on the court in the scone half at Lloyd Noble Center. Oklahoma beat Iowa State 87-82. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Following a loss to the Kansas Jayhawks, Oklahoma turned right around and had to face the ninth-ranked Iowa State Cyclones. The Sooners had yet to lose consecutive games all season, and that trend remains the same.

The Sooners posted a big upset over the Cyclones, who put their undefeated record on the line in Norman Saturday morning.

Oklahoma was favored by nobody in this game after some crushing losses the past week, but Lon Kruger’s squad became the first team to hand Iowa State a loss.

The Sooners were not handed the game, they earned this with some great shooting and a few players stepping up their game.

Ryan Spangler, for one, had a big comeback game after a tough outing against the Jayhawks. Spangler posted 16 points, 15 rebounds, and two blocks.

Buddy Hield led the team with 22 points, who nearly matched Iowa State’s DeAndre Kane’s 23 points in the contest.

The Sooners wasted no time getting out in front early. However, as we’ve seen so often with this team, the defense allowed Iowa State to never be completely out of this one.

Oklahoma’s three point shooting helped keep Iowa State on their heels the entire game, the Cyclones just could not duplicate Oklahoma’s ability to score at the end of the game.

The Cyclones managed to tie the game at half and took a lead late in the contest, but Oklahoma had a spectacular day from the free throw line in a game where fouling was never truly a factor.

Oklahoma had a comfortable lead in the last minute, and a few turnovers gave Iowa State some hope, but OU held on to win the game by five.

This one is easily Oklahoma’s biggest win of the season. Even at home, the Sooners have struggled to keep teams from putting up points, but the defense did just enough to come away with a win over a top ten basketball team.

Iowa State was not a bad team. However, the Sooners’ shot from the perimeter and the charity stripe helped them overcome the Cyclones who shot 52.3% from the field.

Oklahoma improved to 13-3, while Iowa State dropped to 14-1. The Sooners head to Manhattan Tuesday for a contest against a Wildcats team coming off a blowout loss to the Jayhawks. The Sooners and Wildcats tip at 6 p.m. and will appear on ESPN2.