Johnson, Carleton Lead Cyclones Past NIU

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State defeated Northern Illinois 97-89 on Sunday afternoon at Hilton Coliseum as Seanna Johnson and Bridget Carleton combined to score 64 points, with both setting new career-highs in the game. With the win, the Cyclones improve to 7-2 overall, while the Huskies fall to 5-3.

Johnson scored 33 points, including six-straight down the stretch to help secure the win, while Carleton racked up 31 on 11-of-20 shooting. It marks the first time in school history that two players have scored at least 31 points in the same game.

How it Happened
A fast-paced opening quarter saw both teams shoot over 50 percent from the field, with the Cyclones opening the game 6-of-8 from the field to take a 14-11 advantage less than four minutes into the game. Johnson led the way during a 7-0 ISU run that extended the lead to 23-15 with just over three minutes to play in the period. Johnson had 10 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, in the first period, but Northern Illinois closed the stanza with a 7-0 run of their own to cut the Iowa State lead to 25-24 through 10 minutes of action.

The NIU momentum carried into the opening stretch of the second quarter, as the Huskies put together another 7-0 spurt to take their largest lead of the game at 33-27 just over four minutes into the period. Carleton carried the bulk of the offensive load, helping spark a 9-0 ISU run in response. The sophomore from Chatham, Canada scored eight of Iowa State's next 13 points, and the Cyclones regained a 45-43 advantage at half time. Carleton, who led the way with 17 points at the half, was just 1-of-4 from beyond the arc in the half, but knifed through the Northern Illinois defense repeatedly, scoring inside and drawing four free throw attempts.

Iowa State put together a strong third quarter, with Carleton once again leading the charge. She poured in 11 in the quarter, with the Cyclone lead ballooning to as many as 16 at the 3:24 mark of the third. Northern Illinois clawed its way back, cutting the deficit to 12 at 72-60 with 10 minutes to play. Iowa State dominated on the glass in the third, owning a 17-10 advantage on the boards, including six offensive rebounds on just 11 missed shots.

Northern Illinois refused to go away, and went on a 7-0 run that took just 1:21 of game time to cut Iowa State's lead to 84-79 with 4:12 to play. However, Johnson rattled off six-straight points for the Cyclones and Iowa State sealed the deal at the line for a 97-89 victory. Iowa State went 21-of-23 from the charity stripe in the game.

Cyclone Players of the Game
Bridget Carleton and Seanna Johnson. The duo was incredible on Sunday afternoon, combining to score 64 of Iowa State's 97 points. Johnson and Carleton were devastatingly efficient, shooting a combine 55 percent from the field and 12-of-13 from the free throw line.

Cyclone Quick Notes
*Iowa State extended its NCAA-record streak to 682 games with a made 3-pointer.
*The Cyclones have shot 80 percent or better at the free-throw line in eight of their nine games (91.3 percent tonight).
*Seanna Johnson (33 points) and Bridget Carleton (31 points) are the first teammates in school history to both score at least 31 points in the same game.
*33 points by Seanna Johnson are tied for the most by a Cyclone since Nov. 23, 2007 (Alison Lacey, 35 vs. Michigan).
*ISU blocked a season-high 10 shots.
*ISU has had a positive turnover margin in eight of nine games (+2 today).

Up Next
Iowa State is back in action at Hilton Coliseum on Sunday, Nov. 18 to face Delaware State. Tip will be at 2:00 p.m. CT and the game can be watched live on Cyclones.tv.

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Team Stats

Seanna Johnson

Bridget Carleton

Jadda Buckley

TeeTee Starks

Players Mentioned

Bridget Carleton

Seanna Johnson

Players Mentioned

Bridget Carleton

Seanna Johnson

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