Cyclones Top Instate Rival Drake 69-57

DES MOINES, Iowa - Once Iowa State point guard Lyndsey Medders settled down and got over her six first-half turnovers, the junior poured in a career-best 32 points to lead ISU in a 69-57 win at instate rival Drake Sunday afternoon.

"It's hard to beat anyone at this level," ISU head coach Bill Fennelly said. "These instate games mean a lot. Our kids are tired, they left it all out there. It's going to be a lot easier getting up tomorrow after a win."

Iowa State (3-1) racked up more turnovers than points to start the game, giving it away on three of its first four possessions. Drake (2-4) was only able to convert ISU's nine first-half turnovers into eight points. The Cyclones shot 44.4 percent from the floor, getting 15 points from Medders.

The Bulldogs also had trouble controlling the ball with eight turnovers before the break. DU led most of the half, but went scoreless for more than four minutes while ISU took over the lead (20-19) on a Medders basket with 4:58 left on the clock. ISU outscored Drake 8-4 to own a 28-23 advantage at the half, limiting the Bulldogs to 26.7 percent shooting.

"We had them very well scouted," Fennelly said. "Coach (Latoja) Harris did a great job getting them prepared."

Iowa State never relinquished its lead in the second half, but couldn't completely knock out the Bulldogs. ISU owned its largest lead (38-25) after center Brittany Wilkins drained a 3-pointer, just her fourth of the season. Drake whittled away at that lead to pull within four twice, including a 55-51 score with only 5:41 left in the game.

ISU pulled ahead by making its next three consecutive shots and forcing two Drake turnovers. The Cyclones made six of their seven free throws over the final 1:41 to seal the victory.

Medders' 32 points matched the ninth-best single-game performance in Iowa State history. Sophomore Lisa Bildeaux came off the bench to pull down eight rebounds and tally a career-best six points in a career-high 30 minutes of action. Wilkins had 13 points, five rebounds and three blocks in 27 minutes, missing action while on the bench with foul trouble. ISU freshman Nicky Wieben swatted a career-high five blocks, while classmate Heather Ezell collected 13 points and a career-best four steals.

"Lisa Bildeaux was critical," Fennelly said. "I thought she did a tremendous job."

The Cyclones hit a season-best 47.2 percent from the floor and finally connected from 3-point range at a 41.2 percent clip, including 6-of-11 shooting in the second stanza. ISU had just five second-half turnovers and connected on 12-of-14 free throws in the game.

Jill Martin led Drake with 14 points and nine rebounds, while Brandy Dahir and Lauren Dybing added 11 and 10 points, respectively. The Bulldogs outrebounded ISU 38-36, but DU hit just 33.8 percent from the floor and 29.4 percent from outside the arc.

Iowa State returns home to face its second consecutive instate rival, playing host to Iowa on Thursday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m.

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Team Stats

Lyndsey Medders

Heather Ezell

Brittany Wilkins

Lisa Bildeaux

Players Mentioned

Lisa Bildeaux

Lisa Bildeaux

Heather Ezell

Lyndsey Medders

Lyndsey Medders

Nicky Wieben

Brittany Wilkins

Brittany Wilkins

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics