Iowa State Comeback Effort Falls Short at Wisconsin

Sunday, December 7

Madison, Wis.

TBA

Iowa State

3-2, 0-0

Wisconsin

3-2, 0-0

Team	1	2	F
Iowa State Cyclones	25	48	73
Wisconsin Badgers	41	35	76

Iowa State Comeback Effort Falls Short at Wisconsin

12.07.2003 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Iowa State University

MADISON, Wis. - An Iowa State second-half comeback came up short as the Cyclones fell 76-73 at Wisconsin. After trailing by 16 points at the half and by 13 with eight minutes to play, Iowa State evened the contest at 73 with two Anne O'Neil free throws in the final minute. Wisconsin's Ashley Josephson then converted a 3-point play on the Badgers' final possession that proved to be the difference.

The tie in the final minute was the closest Iowa State had been since the first minute of the game. Wisconsin made its first five field goals while ISU turned the ball over on four consecutive possessions, giving the Badgers an early 11-4 lead. The Cyclones closed to within one point with eight minutes to play, but an 18-2 Wisconsin run made the margin 38-21 with two minutes remaining in the half. Wisconsin held a 41-25 edge at the half, in which Iowa State committed 14 turnovers.

ISU chipped away at the lead over the first nine minutes of the second half, closing to within four after two free throws by O'Neil with 10:21 to play. Wisconsin responded with a quick 11-2 run over the next two minutes, extending to a 13-point bulge. Lello Gebisa scored six of her team-high 17 points during the run.

Iowa State made its second comeback of the half over the final eight minutes. A 3-pointer by Erica Junod made the score 67-63 with under four minutes to play. Wisconsin's Stephanie Rich answered a second Junod 3-pointer to make it 72-66 with 2:27 left. ISU got baskets from Junod and Lyndsey Medders and a free throw from Megan Ronhovde to cut the deficit to one with a minute to go, and O'Neil tied the game after Gebisa made one-of-two free throws. The Cyclones had just one turnover in the final eight minutes of the game.

Josephson's 3-point play came with four seconds remaining after she was fouled by Lisa Kriener. Wisconsin's size inside was a challenge for Kriener and Brittany Wilkins, who both fouled out of the game. The Badgers collected 16 offensive rebounds and took 15 more shots from the floor than Iowa State. The Cyclones, who shot 50 percent (24-48) for the game, have shot a better percentage from the field than every opponent this season. Wisconsin picked up just four steals, despite Iowa State having 18 turnovers.

Junod led all scorers with 18 points, converting 7-of-10 field goals and 4-of-5 3-pointers in 38 minutes. In addition to grabbing five rebounds, Junod collected three assists and has nine assists and no turnovers in her first two games. Medders shot 6-for-8 from the floor and scored 15 points, and Ronhovde added a season-high 14 points. All five Wisconsin starters scored in double figures.