In N-I-T action last night, Iowa held off an Iowa State rally to beat the Cyclones of their home floor, 54-53. Iowa coach Steve Alford says at this point in the season, it’s all about survival. Alford says Iowa had an “incredible night of defense.” Alford says his team had the lead most of the game, in the hostile Hilton environment, and then he says his team had enough energy to get the victory. Iowa’s Brody Boyd says it was sweet revenge for Iowa’s loss to Iowa State earlier in the season in Iowa City. Boyd says going in to the tournament, they were hoping for a chance to face Iowa State and get revenge. Boyd says it was one of the most physical games he’s ever played in.Boyd says it was a fun game to play in; bodies were bumping with every cut made and every screen set, and “somebody’s gettin’ you in the knee or just holding your jersey, but that’s the in-state rivalry.” Iowa State shot just 34-and-a-half percent for the game. Jake Sullivan was just three of 16 from the field and finished with eight points. He says they did what they wanted to do, they just couldn’t hit a shot from the outside.Sullivan says the team fought last night, and left everything they had on the floor. Sullivan says it just wasn’t to be, but the team can use the game as motivation through the summer. Iowa State finishes the season with a 17-14 record. Iowa State coach Larry Eustachy says his team got good shots, they just didn’t fall. Eustachy says the players are “heartbroken. They’re crying in the locker room.” Eustachy says it could have been a great Iowa State victory, but the ball bounced the other way and “the Hawkeyes will talk about it forever…but that’s o-k” he said “there’s more important stuff going on.” Iowa’s record improves to 17-13. The Hawks play Georgia Tech Monday.