AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State women's basketball team (10-2, 1-0 Big 12) improved to 9-0 in Hilton Coliseum with its defeat of the Kansas State Wildcats (10-2, 0-1 Big 12) 60-55 in the Big 12 opener. Iowa State is now 14-5 in Big 12 home openers and 11-8 all-time in Big 12 openers.
How it Happened…The Cyclones started to open things up at the 8-minute mark in the first half, when senior
Brynn Williamson netted her third 3-pointer of the game to give Iowa State its largest lead of the game, 24-18, forcing a K-State timeout. The Cyclones pushed the envelope with a K-State team that leads the nation in scoring defense. The Cyclone defense would hold the Wildcats scoreless for over 6 minutes as they mounted a 28-20 lead.
In the second half, Iowa State would allow the Wildcats to come back with 11 second-half turnovers. The Cyclones saw a lead of as large as 13 points shrink to nothing as Ashia Woods tied it at 50-50. The next possession, Iowa State got its lead back for good when
Fallon Ellis netted a 3-pointer off an assist from Williamson to give the Cyclones a 53-50 lead. The final stretch came down to free throw shooting and Iowa State delivered as the Cyclones closed out the game going 6-of-7 from the line in the closing minutes.
Game Ball Goes To...Brynn Williamson. Williamson got the Cyclones started early with three 3-pointers in the first half as the Cyclones struggled early against the K-State zone defense. Williamson would finish the game with her second-career double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, tying a career-high. Williamson also added three assists.
Cyclone Quick Hits*Iowa State is now 21-16 against Kansas State in Hilton Coliseum
* Iowa State improves to 14-5 in Big 12 home openers under head coach
Bill Fennelly and 11-8 in Big 12 openers.
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Brynn Williamson's 15 points and 12 rebounds marked her second career double-double.
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Emily Durr notched double figures for the fourth time this season (10 points).
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Fallon Ellis tied her career high with 11 points, the third time she has posted 11 in her ISU career.
*Iowa State extended its 3-point streak to 624 consecutive games.
Next up:Iowa State hits the road to take on TCU in Fort Worth, Texas on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Iowa State returns to Hilton Coliseum next Saturday at 11 a.m. as it takes on No. 3 Texas in Hilton Coliseum. Iowa State will celebrate head coach
Bill Fennelly's 20th anniversary and the game will be broadcast on FSN.