AMES, Iowa (Interstat) — The nation’s last remaining undefeated team will put its perfect record on the line Saturday when Iowa State hosts Oklahoma State in a pivotal early-season Big 12 Conference clash.

The Cyclones (15-0, 2-0 Big 12), one of only three teams in men’s NCAA Division I basketball yet to lose, will face their toughest test to date against the surging Cowboys (13-2, 1-1) at Hilton Coliseum. Iowa State, coming off a 70-60 road win at Baylor on Wednesday, has showcased a balanced and dominant attack, winning by an average margin of 26.7 points.

Guard Tamin Lipsey has been instrumental for Iowa State, averaging 12.6 points and 5.8 assists per game. He scored 24 points in the victory over Baylor. Forward Joshua Jefferson adds 12.9 points and a team-high 7.1 rebounds per contest.

Oklahoma State arrives with momentum after an 87-76 home win over UCF on Tuesday. The Cowboys are led by forward Parsa Fallah, who is averaging 14.3 points. Fallah has been on a scoring tear in the new year, posting 24 points against UCF and 20 in a road loss to Texas Tech last Saturday.

The matchup features a stark contrast in recent conference play. While Iowa State has handled its first two league opponents with relative ease, Oklahoma State’s lone Big 12 road trip resulted in a 102-80 defeat at Texas Tech, highlighting the challenge of winning in the conference’s hostile environments.

Hilton Coliseum has been a fortress for the Cyclones, who have won 18 consecutive home games dating to last season. Oklahoma State will counter with a potent offense averaging 90.5 points per game, the second-highest mark in the Big 12.

Saturday’s contest is the first of a regular-season series between the teams, who will meet again in Stillwater on Jan. 24. The outcome will provide an early benchmark in the grueling Big 12 race, testing Iowa State’s championship mettle against an Oklahoma State team capable of high-level scoring.