Lacey Hits 1,000 as Cyclones Earn Win over NU

Wednesday, February 18

Ames, Iowa

7:00 PM

Iowa State

19-6, 7-4

Nebraska

11-13, 2-9

Team	1	2	F
Nebraska	22	16	38
Iowa State	33	28	61

Lacey Hits 1,000 as Cyclones Earn Win over NU

02.18.2009 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: cyclones.com

AMES, Iowa ? Junior Alison Lacey knocked down five three-pointers to lead the 21st-ranked Iowa State women's basketball team to a 61-38 win over Nebraska Wednesday night at Hilton Coliseum. On her fourth trey of the game, Lacey became the third Cyclone this season to join the 1,000-point club. She is the 21st player in ISU history to reach 1,000 career points and she joined teammates Heather Ezell and Nicky Wieben on that list.

“This was a game we had to win after losing two in a row,” ISU head coach Bill Fennelly said. “Overall we were efficient, defended really well and we found a way to win. Nebraska is missing some key players. It was a business-like win that we needed. It puts us in good shape.”

Complete Post-Event Coverage
Final Stats Notes Nebraska Newsconference Billl Fennelly Newsconference First Half Replay		Quotes Photo Album ISU Player Newsconference Second Half Replay

Three players scored in double figures for the Cyclones, led by Lacey's 20 points. Nicky Wieben added 17 points and Amanda Nisleit turned in 10. Nisleit and Kelsey Bolte led Iowa State on the boards with five rebounds each as the Cyclones outrebounded the Huskers 37-33. ISU improved to 19-6 this season and 7-4 in the Big 12, while NU dropped to 11-13 overall and 2-9 in the league. The win moved the Cyclones into a four-way tie for third place in the Big 12 standings.

Iowa State shot 37.9 percent from the field and nailed eight three-pointers at a 33 percent clip. The ISU defense held Nebraska to a season-low 38 points as the Cornhuskers shot 31.9 percent from the field and knocked down five three-pointers. NU committed 21 turnovers and the Cyclones took advantage, outscoring NU 21-8 on points off turnovers. Iowa State turned the ball over just nine times against the Nebraska press.

ISU got out to an 8-0 lead to start the game as the Huskers went nearly the first five minutes without a field goal. But Nebraska quickly heated up, hitting three straight treys and a layup off a steal, as the Huskers took a brief 11-10 lead.

The teams traded baskets, and Lacey started hitting three-pointers as the Cyclones moved ahead 21-18. The Huskers answered to close the gap back to one before Iowa State went on a 7-0 run that included a field goal and a trey from Wieben and was closed by Lacey's third three-pointer of the half (28-20).

Nebraska scored for the last time with 3:50 left in the half and ISU scored five straight points to build a 33-22 halftime lead. The Cyclones shot 40 percent from the field, with five field goals coming from long range, while the Huskers shot 30.8 percent in the first half.

Wieben hit the first field goal of the second half for the Cyclones and the two teams traded baskets until Lacey drained her fourth long range field goal of the contest to give ISU a 40-26 lead. That three-pointer gave Lacey her 1,000th career point.

“Aus (Lacey) has had three really good games offensively,” Fennelly said. “She is getting her stroke back and her shot selection is a lot better. She is doing the things that we took for granted last year. There is no question she has a little more energy and her decision making has improved dramatically. I thought she was really good tonight.”

Nebraska answered before Iowa State went on a 19-5 run over an eight and a half minute stretch that was punctuated by three-pointers from Nisleit and Lacey to give the Cyclones their largest lead of the contest (59-33).

The Cyclones will hit the road this weekend, facing Kansas Sunday at noon in Lawrence, Kan. The game will be televised live on FSN.