Cyclones Open Big 12 Play At Oklahoma

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AMES, Iowa - Iowa State opens Big 12 play Wednesday when it travels to Oklahoma in a 7 p.m. tipoff at the Lloyd Noble Center. The Cyclones come into the game riding a five-game winning streak, while OU has won its last five as well.

Who: Iowa State (9-2) at Oklahoma (8-3)
Where: Norman, Okla. - Lloyd Noble Center
When: Wednesday, Jan. 4, 7 p.m.
Radio: Cyclone Radio Network/Learfield
Talent: Rich Fellingham (PxP), Molly Parrott (Color)
TV: Sooner Sports Network
Webcast: Soonersports.com (Subscription)
Live Stats: Live stats will be available at cyclones.com.
Live Blog: Matt Shoultz, assistant director of athletics communications, will be holding a live blog during the game at cyclones.com. Fans are encouraged to participate in the blog by asking questions.

Cyclone Notebook
- Iowa State enters Big 12 play Wednesday when it faces Oklahoma at the Lloyd Noble Center.
- The Cyclones are 7-8 in Big 12 openers. Iowa State has opened Big 12 play against Oklahoma on three occasions, most recently in 2007-08. ISU is 1-2 in those openers, winning in 1998-99.
- The Cyclones closed out nonconference play with a five-game winning streak, including two last week in the Cyclone Challenge.
- In the Cyclones' wins over New Hampshire and Buffalo, junior Chelsea Poppens averaged 16.5 points and 14.5 rebounds to capture tournament MVP. Hallie Christofferson (12.5) and Brynn Williamson (10.0) also averaged in double-digits last week.
- This marks the 14th time in 17 seasons under head coach Bill Fennelly that Iowa State has lost two or fewer games during the nonconference portion of the schedule.
- In Iowa State's last five games, four players are averaging in double-digits led by Poppens' 15.8 points and 13.0 rebounds.
- Freshman Brynn Williamson has heated up from behind the arc after a slow start in the season's first six games (28.6 percent). The guard has shot 48 percent (12-of-25) from long range during the last five games.
- Another key stat in the winning streak has been an improvement taking care of the ball. After posting 86 assists and 101 turnovers (14.3 assists - 0.9 assist/turnover ratio) in the first six games, Iowa State has 94 assists and 71 turnovers in the last five games (18.8 assists - 1.3 a/to ratio).
- Chassidy Cole has 23 assists and just four turnovers in the last six games.
- Poppens has posted double-digit rebounds in eight of the 10 games she has played in this season. The junior, who had eight and nine boards in the other two games, leads the Big 12 and ranks third nationally averaging 12.2 rebounds per game.
- Iowa State ranks second in the Big 12 in scoring defense and 20th nationally. The Cyclones are holding opponents to just 51.3 points per game on 33.8 percent shooting from the field.
- Poppens is one of two Big 12 players averaging a double-double (Brittney Griner). Her 17 rebounds against Butler tie the Big 12 high for the season (BreAnna Brock, Missouri).
- Iowa State has controlled the paint early this season. The Cyclones are outscoring their opponents by more than 12 points in the paint per game (27.8-15.6).
- Poppens needs 18 more rebounds to move into 10th place all-time at Iowa State. Barb Gordon (1991-94) is currently 10th with 624 career boards.
- Iowa State has an all-time record of 600-515 (.538), including 363-162 (.691) under the direction of Fennelly.

Streaks and Trends
- Iowa State has had four players score in double figures in four of the last five games.
- Poppens has six double-doubles in 10 games played this season. She has posted double-digit rebounds in 12-of-her-last-14 games dating back to last season.
- Brynn Williamson has made at least one 3-pointer in 10 of Iowa State's 11 games this season. She has hit multiple threes in eight games.
- Iowa State has outrebounded 17-of-its-last-19 opponents dating back to last season.
- ISU has attempted as many or more free throws than nine-of-its-11 opponents.
- The Cyclones have held all but one opponent (Michigan) under 40 percent shooting.
- As a team, Iowa State has scored more points in the paint than its opponent in 10 of 11 games this season. The only exception was New Hampshire.
- Iowa State has hit a three-pointer in 528 consecutive games. In that time (since Feb. 18, 1995), ISU has hit 4,088 three-pointers.
- Iowa State has won 65-straight regular season nonconference games at home.
- The Cyclones have had at least 20 wins in each of the last five seasons.

Series Notes
- Oklahoma leads the all-time series 31-18, including 18-4 in Norman.
- The Sooners have won seven-of-the-last-eight meetings in the series, including a 65-62 win last season in Norman. OU has won the last three meetings in Norman, with Iowa State's last road win in the series coming by 13 points (73-60) in 2005.
- As a head coach, Bill Fennelly owns an 11-9 record against Oklahoma.
- The Cyclones are 127-93 all-time against Big 12 foes.

Rebounding Machine
- Junior forward Chelsea Poppens has been incredible on the glass this season, averaging a Big 12 best 12.2 rebounds per game this season. She has posted double-digit rebounds in eight of the 10 games she has played in this season.

Poppens' 12.2 average is well above the school record of 11.3 set by Angie Welle in 2002.

Poppens would need to average 13.1 rebounds per game if Iowa State played the minimum 19 games remaining to break Welle's record of 372 rebounds (set in 2002).

600 Wins
- Iowa State's win over Buffalo was the 600th in program history. The Cyclones won 237 games in the 22 years prior to Fennelly's arrival and 363 in the 17 years since.

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Players Mentioned

Hallie Christofferson

Hallie Christofferson

Hallie Christofferson

Chassidy Cole

Chassidy Cole

Chelsea Poppens

Chelsea Poppens

Chelsea Poppens

Brynn Williamson

Brynn Williamson

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