Both Teams Celebrate--Only Iowa State Wins

Iowa State got to celebrate this one twice.

The No. 23-ranked Cyclones beat Nebraska, 60-59, Saturday as Martin Rancik’s disputed basket at the buzzer was ruled good after a replay review that followed a wild scene in which both teams stormed the court thinking they had won.

Down 59-58, Iowa State’s Jamaal Tinsley had his shot blocked out of bounds by Kimani Ffriend with eight-tenths of a second left.

The Cyclones, 15-3 overall and 3-2 in the Big 12, kept the ball and Tinsley threw a perfect lob pass that Rancik caught and laid in over Ffriend as time expired.

“I’ve never made a shot like that,” Rancik said.

Rancik was mobbed by his teammates. But the officials quickly appeared to wave off the basket, and went to look at the replay.

At that point, the Cornhuskers started to celebrate and their fans rushed the court.

“I was like, ‘Oh God, please no,’ ” Rancik said.

After reviewing the play, the officials ruled Rancik got the shot off in time.

“I first thought they called it off. That’s why I showed some disappointment,” Iowa State Coach Larry Eustachy said. “The TV . . . showed it was good. Either way, it was a great game.”

Tinsley, who had 23 points, was not guarded on the inbounds pass.

“I was really surprised to get a clear look at it,” Tinsley said. “I just had a feeling Ffriend was going to extend too far. I just hoped Martin would catch the ball.”

Said Nebraska Coach Barry Collier “At the end, it was defensive confusion on our part. You can play it over and over again, but credit Iowa State with making the final shot.”

Nebraska (8-9, 1-2) had taken its first lead since the opening possession at 59-58 with 17 seconds left when Ffriend missed two free throws, but Rodney Fields got the rebound and made a spinning shot through traffic.