Cyclones Sweep Colorado with 65-45 Win

Wednesday, January 30

Ames, Iowa

7:00 PM

Iowa State

13-6; 2-4

Colorado

13-7; 2-5

Team	1	2	F
Colorado	25	20	45
Iowa State	35	30	65

Cyclones Sweep Colorado with 65-45 Win

01.30.2008 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: cyclones.com

AMES, Iowa ? Iowa State bounced back from a rugged three-game stretch and swept the regular-season series with Colorado by knocking off the Buffaloes, 65-45, Wednesday night at Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones (13-6; 2-4) also earned a double-overtime win over CU (13-7; 2-5) in Boulder on Jan. 13.

Junior Amanda Nisleit scored a career-high 16 points to lead a balanced Iowa State team effort. The Cyclones finished with four players in double digits for just the fourth time this season. Kelsey Bolte turned in 15 points to finish in double figures for the sixth consecutive game, and Alison Lacey matched her with 15 points, while Heather Ezell finished with 14. The Cyclones hit 10 treys on the night, with three apiece from Bolte and Lacey.

"I think this is probably one of those moments in coaching that you appreciate,” head coach Bill Fennelly said. “They have been beaten down really bad, and to see them smile and enjoy this win tonight meant a lot. Tonight was an Iowa State night. I thought we really dug in when we had to and hit some really big shots.”

The Cyclones bolted out of the locker room after the intermission, making an 18-4 run to open up a 21-point lead, 53-29, capped by a pair of three-pointers and a set of free throws by Lacey. While the ISU offense was on fire, the defense held Colorado to just one field goal over the first nine and a half minutes of the second period.

The Buffaloes hit consecutive three-pointers to cut the lead to 18, 53-35, but the Cyclones answered with a 6-0 run, including a trey by Ezell to push the lead out to 24, 59-35. CU was called for a technical foul on the bench and Lacey went to the line to knock down a pair of free throws for a 61-35 advantage. The Buffs closed the final margin to 20, but never got closer.

Iowa State shot 36.7 percent from the field and went 10-of-23 from three-point range. The Cyclones outrebounded the Buffs, 43-27, and hit 19-of-27 free throws. ISU forced Colorado into 15 turnovers and scored 25 points off those miscues. CU shot 30.6 percent from the floor and was led by Jackie McFarland's 18 points. The Cyclones held freshman Brittany Spears scoreless for the contest. CU went 5-for-24 from three-point range.

The Cyclones weathered the first half and took a 35-25 lead into the locker room. Colorado led for the first seven and a half minutes, taking their largest lead at 10-5. Ezell hit a three and a jumper on back-to-back possessions to put ISU ahead for the first time, 14-12. After tying the game a 14-all, Iowa State went on a 7-0 run for a 21-14 advantage with eight minutes to go in the first period.

Iowa State led by as many as 12 points, 30-18, with 3:50 to go in the half, on a free throw by Ezell. Colorado cut the lead to seven, 32-25, with 51 seconds left on a pair of free throws before Bolte drained a three to send the Cyclones to the half with a 10-point advantage. ISU shot 41.7 percent in the first half, and was 6-of-12 from beyond the arc. The Cyclones also held a 21-13 advantage on the glass.

The Cyclones hit the road once again this weekend, traveling to Lawrence, Kan., to face the KU Jayhawks at 7 p.m. Saturday.