ST. LOUIS (Interstat) — A postseason clash of Tigers and Cyclones is set for Friday at Enterprise Center, as seed Tennessee State faces a steep challenge against fifth-seeded Iowa State in an NCAA Division I men’s basketball playoff game.

The Tigers (23-9), champions of the Ohio Valley Conference, ride a six-game winning streak into their first NCAA tournament appearance in over a decade. Their momentum is fueled by a balanced attack and stifling defense, having held opponents under 70 points in five of those six victories. A key catalyst is forward Antoine Lorick, who averaged 14.8 points and 2.2 blocks over his last five regular season contests. In the OVC title game rout of Morehead State, Lorick scored 18 points in 23 minutes.

Iowa State (27-7), an at-large selection from the powerhouse Big 12, presents a dramatic step up in competition. The Cyclones, ranked 14th in the final AP poll, boast a resume filled with Quadrant 1 victories and are battle-tested against the nation’s elite. They are anchored by versatile forward Milan Momcilovic, who is capable of explosive scoring, as evidenced by his 28-point performance in a narrow road loss at Arizona to close the regular season.

The Cyclones are heavy favorites, installed by oddsmakers as 23-point favorites with an over/under of 148.5 points. Iowa State’s trademark physical, disruptive defense, which ranks among the nation’s best in turnover margin, will test Tennessee State’s guard play. The Tigers must handle that pressure and control the tempo to have a chance at the monumental upset.

The game tips off at 6:10 p.m. CDT Friday, with the winner advancing to the second round of the tournament’s Midwest Region. For Tennessee State, it’s a celebration of a resurgent season. For Iowa State, it’s the first step toward fulfilling deeper March aspirations.