The Iowa State Cyclones survived a heart-stopping final minute to outlast the St. John's Red Storm 83-82 in a wild, back-and-forth showdown at the Players Era FestivalLas Vegas on November 24, 2025. With the clock ticking under 10 seconds and the score tied at 82, St. John's guard Zuby Ejiofor missed a potential game-tying jumper, sealing the win for Iowa State and preserving their perfect 5-0 start. The game wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. In a season where non-conference battles matter more than ever, this was the kind of victory that defines a team’s identity.
From Leading to Losing: The Rollercoaster Second Half
St. John’s didn’t just compete—they dominated stretches. After trailing by 10 early, the Red Storm stormed back with a 21-6 run to seize a 36-31 lead late in the first half. Dillon Mitchell, the transfer from North Carolina, was electric, finishing with 18 points and keying a 13-2 surge that put St. John’s ahead 68-64 with 8:48 left. But then came the silence. For over three minutes, the Red Storm went cold. No field goals. No assists. Just turnovers and missed chances. Meanwhile, Iowa State executed like a veteran squad. A 9-0 run, sparked by defensive stops and crisp ball movement, flipped the game. By the 4:30 mark, the Cyclones were up 73-68.
Then came Sellers. The Iowa State guard, who hadn’t scored in the first 35 minutes, hit back-to-back threes in 12 seconds to give St. John’s an 80-79 lead with 2:09 left. It felt like the Red Storm had stolen it. But here’s the thing about Iowa State—they don’t panic. Coach (unnamed in reports but leading his fifth win of the season) called a timeout. The next possession? A low-post finish from Momcilovic. Then, Joshua Jefferson sank two free throws. The lead was back. Three points. 83-80.
Final Possession: A Missed Opportunity
St. John’s had one last chance. With 12 seconds left and down three, Ejiofor drove the lane, elevated, and released. The shot clanked off the rim. Mitchell, the hero of the second-half surge, got the rebound and laid it in at the buzzer—but it was too late. The scoreboard read 83-82. The final play, as ESPN’s box score confirmed, was a 1.3-second miracle that didn’t count. The Red Storm had 14 turnovers. They shot 41% from the field. They missed four straight field goals in the final 2:30.
For Iowa State, it was a team effort. Tamin Lipsey finished with 16 points and five assists. Dylan Darling added 14. Nate Heise, the quiet veteran, played 31 minutes with zero turnovers. But the story was resilience. This wasn’t a team that relied on stars. It was a team that trusted each other when the pressure was highest.
What This Means for Both Programs
Iowa State’s 5-0 start is their best since 2021. This win over a ranked Big East opponent—only their second against a power conference team this season—is a major resume-builder. They’ve already beaten Mississippi State by 16 and now St. John’s by one. The path ahead? A gauntlet of Big 12 play starting in December. This win proves they can win ugly. They can win on the road. They can win when the lights are brightest.
For St. John’s, the loss stings. They entered the game 3-1, with hopes of cracking the top 10. Now, they’re 3-2, with two losses in their last three. Ejiofor, who averaged 15 points and 6.3 rebounds coming in, finished with 21 points and seven boards—but also committed four turnovers. Mitchell had 18, but couldn’t get a clean look on the final possession. The Red Storm now face a tough stretch: home games against Seton Hall and Creighton before conference play heats up. The question isn’t just about wins—it’s about identity. Are they a top-10 team? Or just a squad that plays hard but can’t close?
Behind the Numbers: The Real Story
Let’s look at the cold facts:
- Iowa State outrebounded St. John’s 38-32, including 11 offensive boards.
- The Cyclones shot just 44% from the field but made 10 of 14 free throws (71%). St. John’s made only 11 of 18 (61%).
- St. John’s scored 45 points in the first half, but only 37 in the second.
- Iowa State’s bench outscored St. John’s 24-12.
- The game featured 14 lead changes and 10 ties.
It wasn’t about who had the best player. It was about who made the fewest mistakes when it mattered most. And that’s Iowa State.
What’s Next?
Iowa State returns home to face South Dakota State on November 27, then heads to the Big 12 opener against Texas Tech on December 4. They’re now being talked about as a potential NCAA Tournament sleeper. St. John’s travels to face DePaul on November 27, then hosts Seton Hall on December 1. Their margin for error is shrinking. Both teams are good. But only one of them looked like a winner when the game was on the line.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Iowa State manage to win despite shooting poorly in the second half?
Iowa State didn’t win because they shot well—they won because they defended relentlessly and made clutch free throws. They went 10-for-14 from the line in the final 4 minutes, while St. John’s missed four straight field goals down the stretch. Their 11 offensive rebounds created extra possessions, and their bench outscored St. John’s 24-12, providing the energy needed to close the game.
Why didn’t Zuby Ejiofor’s last shot count as a game-tying basket?
Ejiofor’s final attempt missed the rim entirely with 1.3 seconds left. Although Dillon Mitchell tipped in the rebound at the buzzer, the official clock showed 0.0 seconds had elapsed before the shot was released. Per NCAA rules, if the ball is released after the buzzer, it doesn’t count—even if it goes in. The play was reviewed and disallowed, preserving Iowa State’s one-point lead.
What impact does this win have on Iowa State’s NCAA Tournament chances?
This victory is a major resume boost. Beating a ranked Big East team on a neutral court in November is exactly the kind of win the selection committee values. With a 5-0 record and wins over Mississippi State and now St. John’s, Iowa State is firmly in the conversation for a top-10 seed if they can maintain their form through Big 12 play. Their non-conference schedule just got a lot stronger.
How does this loss affect St. John’s chances of making the NCAA Tournament?
St. John’s still has time, but their margin for error just shrank. Two losses in their last three games, including this one to a team that was unranked before the contest, hurts their profile. To make the tournament, they’ll need to win at least 10 Big East games and avoid any more neutral-court losses. Their next two games—against DePaul and Seton Hall—are must-wins.
Who were the key players for each team in this game?
For Iowa State, Tamin Lipsey (16 points, 5 assists), Momcilovic (12 points, 7 rebounds), and Joshua Jefferson (10 points, 6 rebounds) led the charge. Sellers delivered the game’s most clutch shots with two late threes. For St. John’s, Zuby Ejiofor (21 points, 7 rebounds) and Dillon Mitchell (18 points, 5 rebounds) were outstanding, but their supporting cast struggled. Ian Jackson added 12 points, but the bench was outplayed 24-12.
Was this game part of a larger tournament or just a standalone matchup?
This was part of the Players Era Festival, a four-team, single-elimination tournament held in Las Vegas from November 23–25, 2025. Iowa State and St. John’s were two of the four teams, with the other two being Oregon and Arizona State. The winner of this game advanced to the semifinals, while the loser was eliminated. Iowa State moved on; St. John’s went home.
