(BCSNN) — Graduate guard Day Day Thomas hit a pair of clutch midrange jumpers in the final minutes, and Cincinnati held off a late rally by No. 2 Iowa State to secure a stunning 79–70 victory on Saturday at Fifth Third Arena.

It marked the Bearcats’ highest‑ranked win since defeating No. 2 Syracuse in the 2012 Big East Tournament - and a result few expected entering the afternoon.

Cincinnati watched its lead shrink to 69–64 with 4:38 remaining after Milan Momcilovic buried his sixth 3‑pointer of the game. Thomas and junior guard Jizzle James responded with consecutive midrange jumpers, and Momcilovic missed back‑to‑back threes on the ensuing possessions. Cincinnati rebuilt its lead to nine at 73–64 with 2:15 left and closed the game at the free‑throw line.

Thomas led the Bearcats with 19 points, while James added 15. Junior guard Sencire Harris and graduate guard Jalen Celestine each scored 12. Graduate forward Baba Miller delivered eight points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two blocks as Cincinnati controlled the margins that typically decide games against elite opponents.

Momcilovic finished with 34 points on 8‑of‑14 shooting from beyond the arc, but Iowa State (which attempted 27 free throws but made only 17) could not overcome 20 turnovers and a 20–5 deficit in bench scoring. Cincinnati also held a 13–2 advantage in fast‑break points.

The Bearcats built their largest lead at 67–50 after a Thomas 3‑pointer with 7:37 remaining, but Momcilovic scored nine of the next 11 points to spark a Cyclones rally. A Nate Heise layup off a Cincinnati turnover cut the deficit to 69–61 with 5:17 left, and Momcilovic’s seventh triple made it a five‑point game before Cincinnati steadied itself.

Cincinnati had earlier connected on six of seven shots during a 13–4 second‑half run, capped by a James baseline jumper, to build a 56–42 advantage with 13:05 remaining. Harris extended the lead to 62–45 with a layup before Momcilovic answered with a 3‑pointer.

Iowa State briefly tied the game at 38 less than two minutes into the second half, but Miller responded with a 3‑pointer and Thomas added a layup to restore Cincinnati’s lead.

The Bearcats overcame 35.1% shooting in the first half by outrebounding Iowa State 23–16 and hitting six 3‑pointers. Celestine led Cincinnati with nine first‑half points, while Momcilovic had eight for the Cyclones. Cincinnati led 35–31 at halftime.

Cincinnati now heads to Tucson for a showdown with No. 1 Arizona on Wednesday night. After Saturday’s shocker, who knows what to expect.