CHICAGO — No. 6 Tennessee defeated No. 2 Iowa State 76-62 in the Sweet 16.
The Volunteers out-rebounded ISU 43-22 and dominated the offensive glass 18-6.
After a 5-for-5 start to the game at the foul line in the first half, the Cyclones went 10-for-20 in the second half. Free throws haunted the Cyclones all season — they were the No. 15 Big 12 team at 67.7%.
ISU's run this march ends without second-team All-American Joshua Jefferson. The senior forward played two-and-a-half minutes in the NCAA tournament before spraining his ankle in the first-round game against Tennessee State.
Tennessee offensive rebounding keeps ISU lead to two
Iowa State leads 13-11 | 11:53 1H
Tennessee has grabbed seven offensive rebounds in the first eight minutes. That has kept them in touch with the Cyclones despite a 31% shooting percentage from the field. ISU is shooting 40% from the field and is 2-for-5 from 3.
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Toure's Behind-the-back assist to Lipsey gives ISU a lead
Iowa State leads 33-32 | 51.2 seconds H1
Freshman ISU guard started a fastbreak and made behind-the-back bounce pass to point guard Tamin Lipsey to give ISU a 33-32 lead. Nate Heise's three-pointer on the previous Cyclone possession has added to make Cyclone fans chant "I-S-U."
Lipsey's layup crawls off, Cyclones trail at half
Tennessee leads 34-33 | HALF
ISU couldn't get a go-ahead bucket before the half like against Kentucky on Sunday. Lipsey's layup crawls off the rim and Tennessee maintains a slim lead.
The Cyclones have shot 43% from the field and 31% from three. Tennessee is shooting 47% from the field and 18% from three.
The Volunteers have 10 offensive rebounds to Iowa State's two and are winning the total rebound margin 22-10.
Tennessee takes largest lead of game
Tennessee leads 49-41 | 14:19 2H
A back-and-forth game has tipped in in the Volunteers' favor. Tennessee has picked up its three-point shooting in the second half (three-for-four).
Tennessee maintaining double-digit lead
Tennessee leads 61-49 | 7:48 2H
The Cyclones haven't scored a field goal in the past 4:49 of game time. Since a 5-for-5 start from the foul line in the first half, the Cyclones have gone 6-for-12, slowing momentum for a comeback.
A ball sits on the court during a timeout in the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament game between Iowa State and Kentucky, Sunday, March 22, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Ben Hutchens is an Iowa State University beat writer for the Lee Enterprises network. Follow him on X or send him an email at Ben.Hutchens@lee.net.
