Iowa State Takes Down Texas Tech, 69-65

AMES, Iowa - A career performance from Iowa State sophomore Lisa Bildeaux paced the Cyclones in a 69-65 Big 12 Conference victory over Texas Tech in Hilton Coliseum Wednesday night.

Bildeaux scored a career-high 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for her first career double-double. Bildeaux had averaged only 3.2 points in her last six contests, and had scored in double figures only five times this season. She also recorded a career-best three blocked shots.

"This was the best game Lisa Bildeaux has played as a Cyclone," said Iowa State head coach Bill Fennelly. "To see the excitement that her teammates had for her, that was great."

"It was a long time coming," Bildeaux said. "It boosts my confidence so much."

Iowa State (15-8, 6-6 Big 12) was led on the night by senior center Brittany Wilkins' 24-point outburst, just shy of her career high (26). Wilkins made ISU's only three-pointer of the evening with just over four minutes to play, extending the team's consecutive games streak with a three-pointer to 327. Junior point guard Lyndsey Medders recovered from a slow start to finish with 13 points, seven assists and three steals.

"We just tried to make smart, strong moves around their post players," Wilkins said. "They left the middle open, and that helped us gain confidence. We've been working on getting tougher on the inside."

Despite ISU's poor night from beyond the arc, the Cyclones shot a torrid 88 percent (22-of-25) from the free-throw line, including 17-of-18 in the second half.

Iowa State's knack for the second-half run continued Wednesday, as the Cyclones reeled off a 12-0 run early in the second half to erase a nine-point deficit. ISU also went on commanding second-half runs at Kansas (26-5), against Missouri (28-10) and at Kansas State (20-4) in the last four games.

In contrast to Iowa State, Texas Tech (12-11, 7-5 Big 12) sizzled from beyond the arc. The Lady Raiders made eight of their first 10 three-point attempts in the first half, relying on the long ball for offensive production. Tech finished 9-of-17 on the night. Erin Grant (21 points) and Alesha Robertson (20) paced the Tech attack. The Iowa State defense held LaToya Davis to 11 points, her second-lowest output of the season.

Iowa State jumped to a 15-7 lead before Texas Tech went on a 19-3 run midway through the half to take an eight-point lead. The Cyclones chipped away at the lead just before halftime and went into the locker room trailing 34-29. It was the seventh consecutive game that ISU trailed at the break.

"What everyone saw tonight was a team that found a way to win unlike the way most Iowa State teams have," Fennelly said. "A six-and-six record with four games to play -- this is where it gets fun."

Iowa State will play host to Kansas Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. in Hilton Coliseum. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Net.

Next Event

Team Stats

Brittany Wilkins

Lisa Bildeaux

Lyndsey Medders

Nicky Wieben

Players Mentioned

Lisa Bildeaux

Lisa Bildeaux

Lyndsey Medders

Lyndsey Medders

Lyndsey Medders

Brittany Wilkins

Brittany Wilkins

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics