Iowa State vs Ole Miss Score Today: Live Updates, Game Highlights & How to Watch

Iowa State vs Ole Miss Score Today: A thrilling contest in the second round of the NCAA Tournament with No. 3 seed Iowa State Cyclones taking on No. 6 seed Ole Miss Rebels on March 23, 2025, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. So both teams came in with a pretty excellent record, creating a perfect scenario for an intense duel that had a coveted Sweet 16 berth at stake. ​

Game Overview

The Cyclones, 25-9, played the Rebels, 23-11. Iowa State is favored by 5.5 points in this one, with the over/under set at 145.5.

First Half Highlights

The match opened lively with both clubs showing so much tactics. Iowa State senior guard Curtis Jones, who had averaged 17.1 points in the team’s first seven games, showed his scoring instincts early on, driving inside and hitting from 3-point range. Defensively, junior forward Joshua Jefferson, famous for his versatility, contributed greatly with rebounds and assists. ​

Ole Miss answered with offensive tactics of their own. Senior guard Sean Pedulla, leading the Rebels in scoring at 15.0 points per game, played efficiently, distributing the ball for open shots and attempting to penetrate the Rebels’ defense. The Rebels’ defensive versatility, which allowed them to switch easily between assignments, complicated the Cyclones’ offense. ​

The lead swapped back and forth several times as the half unspooled. The Cyclones used their physicality to their advantage; they owned the paint and scored on second-chance points. On the other end of the court, the Rebels took to the three-point line to keep it close. The match had been closely fought, as was reflected by the narrow scoreline at the break.

Second Half Action

The second half was a battle where both teams made tactical changes. Iowa State stressed moving the ball in order to counter Ole Miss turning up switches on defense, searching for matchups to take advantage of. Senior center Dishon Jackson was also instrumental, using his size to grab rebounds and defend the rim. ​

Ole Miss maintained its balanced-scoring style. Players such as Jaylen Murray and Matthew Murrell stepped up, drilling important shots to keep the Rebels in the game. Defensively, the idea for Ole Miss was to try to keep Iowa State out of any sort of rhythm by pressuring the perimeter and contesting shots in the paint. ​

Around the midway point of the second half, the Cyclones began a scoring surge, powered by defensive stops and fast-break chances. Curtis Jones’s sharpshooting helped the Cyclones grow their lead, but the Rebels fought back behind timely three-pointers. ​​

Clutch Moments

The game reached a fevered pitch in the closing moments. With each team in the bonus, free-throw shooting proved to be a significant factor. The guards for Iowa State showed poise at the line, hitting key free throws to preserve their narrow lead. Ole Miss had chances to tie or take the lead, but struggled against the tough defense of the Cyclones. The Rebels didn't get good looks, and they turned the ball over. ​

Final Score and Implications

It was a hard-fought game that came down to the end and Iowa State came out victorious over Ole Miss — the final score being 78-74. This victory sends the Cyclones into the Sweet 16 for the third consecutive season under coach T.J. Otzelberger. The success did not come easy; it was a combination of resilience and purposeful execution by the group. ​

Key Performers

Iowa State Cyclones:

Curtis Jones: Scored a game-high 24 points with four 3pters and 5 rebounds. ​

Joshua Jefferson: Posted a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds plus four assists. ​

Tamin Lipsey: racked up 12 points, six assists and three steals — highlighting his two-way playmaking prowess. ​

Ole Miss Rebels:

Sean Pedulla: Scored 19 points and added five assists in a team-leadership effort. ​

Murray Jaylen: 15 points including three important threes. ​

Matthew Murrell: Added 14 points and seven rebounds, a strong presence on both ends. ​

Looking Ahead

Iowa State’s advance sets up a Sweet 16 matchup against the winner of the game between No. 2 seed Arizona and No. 7 seed Michigan State. It won't be easy the Cyclones are looking at a returning quarterfinalist who also played matinee matches all last week in the build-up to a title run. ​

The season ends, however, with another solid run in the NCAA Tournament for Ole Miss. The Rebels demonstrated their depth and versatility, laying the groundwork for a bright program future under head coach Chris Beard. ​

How to Watch Future Games

The Cyclones' next Sweet 16 game will air on CBS. Broadcast times and the rest of the schedule will be announced. Streaming will also be provided via the NCAA's own website, as well as associated streaming providers. ​

Conclusion

The Iowa State vs. Ole Miss game was an exciting showcase of college basketball that illustrated the competitive nature of the NCAA Tournament. Both teams played with skill, determination and sportsmanship that was the very essence of March Madness. With the tournament going on live, fans can expect amazing matches and unforgettable moments. ​

Note: All stats and game information are accurate as of March 24, 2025.