Iowa State Defeats Dayton at Maui Invitational

No. 5 Iowa State overcame a challenging matchup against Dayton, securing an 89-84 victory in the Maui Invitational. After trailing at halftime, the Cyclones rallied in the second half, led by Keshon Gilbert who scored a game-high 24 points and made critical free throws down the stretch. Curtis Jones contributed 19 points, while Joshua Jefferson played a pivotal role with key late-game plays. Both teams entered the game seeking redemption after previous losses, with Iowa State having blown an 18-point lead to No. 4 Auburn. The Cyclones' strong free-throw shooting, going 25-of-29 overall, was crucial to their success. Iowa State will advance to face Colorado in the fifth-place game of the tournament.