Iowa State Routs Southern, Drops From AP Top 25
Iowa State rebounded from its loss to Memphis with a lopsided home win over Southern on Tuesday night.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Basketball
Iowa State defeated Southern in a blowout at home on Tuesday night, leading 41-18 at halftime after opening the game with a 20-0 run. The win came after a loss to Memphis, and Iowa State fell out of the AP Top 25 for the first time since January 2024.
Why it matters
The ranking drop marks the team's first exit from the AP Top 25 in nearly two years, following a setback against Memphis. The lopsided result gives the Cyclones a strong response as the season continues.
Jamarion Batemon scored 10 points in the first half on 3-for-9 shooting from the floor and 2-for-8 from three-point range, while nine Iowa State players scored before halftime. Tre Singleton picked up three fouls, and the Cyclones held Southern to 47 points.
The players
Iowa State
Iowa State is a Big 12 Conference men's basketball program based in Ames, Iowa, competing in NCAA Division I.
The details
Iowa State built its lead with a 20-0 opening run and held Southern to 47 points, with nine players scoring in the first half. The Cyclones had lost to Memphis before this matchup and dropped out of the AP Top 25 afterward.
Timeline
January 2024: Iowa State last previously fell out of the AP Top 25.
Tuesday, November 10, 2026: Iowa State defeated Southern at home.
Season Trajectory
Iowa State's fall from the AP Top 25 for the first time since January 2024 signals a shift in its national standing this season. The lopsided win over Southern offers a bounce-back as the team looks to reclaim a spot in the rankings.
Iowa State's ranking drop removes it from the AP Top 25 for the first time since January 2024, which affects how it is viewed in national polls. The next home game against Niagara and the Players Era event in Las Vegas will show whether the team can rebound further.
The takeaway
Iowa State's response after a loss shows how quickly a team can rebound, and the Cyclones' 20-0 opening run highlights the value of a fast start. Fans following the team should watch its next results closely.
What happens next
Iowa State hosts Niagara next, before the Players Era event in Las Vegas.
Further reading
Follow more Ames basketball coverage for Iowa State's latest results and ranking updates.
