Cyclones Clip Mizzou, 76-68

AMES, Iowa ? Sophomore Nicky Wieben posted a career-high double-double, leading the Iowa State women's basketball team to a 76-68 win over Missouri Sunday afternoon in Big 12 Conference action at Hilton Coliseum.

Wieben had a career-high 24 points, a season-high 11 rebounds and blocked the 100^th shot of her career while leading the way for the Cyclones. She was one of four players who finished in double digits for ISU, while Heather Ezell finished with 15 points, including going 3-of-4 from three-point range. Alison Lacey had 11 points and five boards and Lyndsey Medders finished with 10 points and six assists in an all-around effort by the Cyclones.

Iowa State improved to 17-6 on the year and 5-5 in the league, as well as 12-1 at Hilton Coliseum. Missouri dropped to 14-8 on the season and 2-7 in the Big 12, as the teams split the home-and-home series.

“We played a very good team, and we played very well,” head coach Bill Fennelly said. “I don't know that Nicky Wieben could have played any better. She struggled Wednesday and to her credit, she was into the game from the very beginning. She wanted the ball and played with a lot of energy at both ends of the court and made some big shots. Every time we needed a basket, Nicky Wieben got it.”

Iowa State took over the longest current thee-point streak, hitting nine on the day, for its 357^th consecutive game with a trey. Cleveland State set the NCAA record at 408, but did not connect from long range in its game on Saturday, making ISU's streak the longest current string in the nation.

Senior Megan Ronhovde hit a trey to open the second half to build a five-point ISU cushion, but Missouri answered with baskets by EeTisha Riddle and Tiffany Brooks to cut the lead to one, 38-37. The Cyclones were never able to build more than a six-point lead over the first 15 minutes of the second half and Mizzou cut the lead back to four, 64-60, on a free throw by Riddle with four minutes to play. But Wieben answered and Medders drained a three that opened the margin to nine points, 72-63, with just under a minute and a half left and the Cyclones hit free throws down the stretch to finish off the win.

The Cyclones took a 35-33 advantage to the locker room, after trailing much of the first half. Wieben had 16 first-half points after going 8-for-10 from the floor to go with seven rebounds.

Iowa State got out to a strong start, leading 10-4 after back-to-back baskets by Wieben and treys by Ezell and Ronhovde. But Missouri answered with one of its six first half three-point field goals and ran out to a 24-18 lead. Wieben blocked the 100^th shot of her career on the defensive end of the floor and forced a shot clock violation by the Tigers, before converting a layup to tie the game at 24 on the other end. Iowa State continued to go inside, outscoring MU in the paint 20-4 in the first period, to take the halftime lead.

Both teams shot 44.6 percent from the floor for the contest, matching a 25-of-56 effort from the floor. The difference was at the line, where ISU was 17-of-24 and Mizzou was 8-for-11. The Cyclones outrebounded their opponent for the 16^th time this season, improving to 15-1 when winning the battle of the boards. Four Tigers finished in double digits, led by Carlynn Savant's 19 point sand 13 rebounds.

The Cyclones will have the next week off, playing again at 7 p.m. Saturday at Baylor. The 13^th-ranked Bears are 6-3 in the Big 12 and will play at Texas Tech on Wednesday.

Iowa State vs. Missouri Game Notes

- Nicky Wieben had 16 first half points, putting her in double figures for the 15^th time this season, and for the sixth time this season in the first half. She finished with a career-high 24 points and had 11 rebounds, which was a season high. The 24 points and 11 rebounds marked the fourth double-double of her career.

- Wieben's block in the first half, was the 100^th of her career. She finished with two blocks and now need just one to move into second place on the ISU career chart.

- Megan Ronhovde played her 117^th career game as a Cyclone on Sunday, tying her for eighth place in the ISU career record books. She also finished with nine points, leaving her seven shy of her 1000^th career point.

- Heather Ezell's 15 points marked the seventh time this season she has finished in double digits.

- Iowa State had four players finish in double figures for just the fourth time this season, improving to 4-0 in those games.

- After taking a 35-33 lead intermission, the Cyclones improved to 14-1 when leading at half. The Cyclones also outrebounded their opponent for the 16^th time this season, improving to15-1 on the year when doing so.

- With their nine three-pointers on the day, Iowa State extended its string of consecutive games with a trey to 357, which is now the longest current streak in the nation, after Cleveland State failed to hit a trey in its game Saturday. Cleveland State's streak ended at an NCAA record 408 consecutive games.

- Lyndsey Medders finished with six assists on the day, improving her school record to 644.

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Team Stats

Nicky Wieben

Heather Ezell

Alison Lacey

Lyndsey Medders

Players Mentioned

Heather Ezell

Heather Ezell

Heather Ezell

Alison Lacey

Alison Lacey

Lyndsey Medders

Lyndsey Medders

Megan Ronhovde

Megan Ronhovde

Nicky Wieben

Nicky Wieben

Nicky Wieben

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