Another early deficit and another Iowa State comeback, this time for the Big 12 title

Iowa State would prefer not to trail in games by double digits.

But the Cyclones rode playing with a deficit all the way to a second consecutive Big 12 Tournament championship.

Iowa State defeated Kansas 70-66, and this time the Cyclones shoveled out of a 17-point hole.

That’s five straight victories, and in all five the Cyclones trailed by at least 10 points.

“We don’t want to come back every time,” Iowa State forward Georges Niang said. “It just seems to keep happening to us.”

The 17-pointer on Saturday wasn’t even the deepest during the run. That came on March 2 against Oklahoma, when Iowa State trailed by 21 early in the second half. The response on that occasion was 22 straight points.

But Saturday’s rally may have been more impressive.

After Kansas’ Frank Mason was fouled shooting a three-pointer and made all of the shots on Kansas’ first possession of the second half, the Jayhawks‘ lead had swelled to 40-23, and the quality of opponent is what concerned Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg.

“We got them (the Cyclones) over there and challenged them,” Hoiberg said. “Whatever you’ve got left in the tank, let’s leave it out there. Let’s go down swinging and fighting and whatever happens, happens.”

The rally was swift and unrelenting and occurred on both sides of the ball.

Niang had been Iowa State’s only weapon in the first half. After the break, everybody came at Kansas.

The margin was down to single digits in fewer than 3 minutes. Iowa State had closed the gap to two points just 5:11 into the second half.

The Jayhawks kept the lead for the next few minutes, before Bryce Dejean-Jones came up with a steal and layup in transition. He was fouled, missed the free throw, but the score was tied 51-51 with 8 minutes remaining.

“Might have been the play of the game,” Hoiberg said. “That kind of got the momentum going for us.”

It was the start of another Cyclones thrust. Iowa State scored on the next six possessions, often going right to basket. Kansas couldn’t stop it, until Jayhawks coach Bill Self switched to zone defense.

“Great coaching by Bill to get out us out of our rhythm,” Hoiberg said.

It almost worked. Kansas roared back from seven down to make it 63-63 on Wayne Selden’s three-point play with 1:29 remaining.

The game’s biggest sequence occurred next. Niang missed a three-point attempt, and Abdel Nader couldn’t score on two straight offensive rebound attempts. Finally, Kansas fouled him, and Nader stuck both free throws. Here, KU’s defense worked for Iowa State.

“It’s easier to rebound against the zone,” Nader said. “I was on the backside of the defense, kind of snuck in there. I stayed with it.”

The Cyclones were on their way to victory, this one by four, which matched the combined margin of their earlier triumphs over Texas and Oklahoma.

The celebration was on. Trophies were presented, including the tournament MVP to the hard-working Niang. Iowa State fans chanted, “Thank you, Fred,” — how many coaches get a vocal shoulder ride?

They also chanted “Jamie Pollard” for the Cyclones athletic director who suffered a heart attack on Monday. Hoiberg’s final words at Sprint Center were for his boss.

“He’s the best, he’s a great guy to work for, a great boss,” Hoiberg said. “To win this one for him is a really special moment.”

This story was originally published March 14, 2015 at 9:05 PM with the headline "Another early deficit and another Iowa State comeback, this time for the Big 12 title."