Cyclones Fall To UCF, 71-66

ORLANDO, Fla. – UCF shot better than 60 percent from the field in the second half and became the first team this season to outrebound Iowa State as it defeated the Cyclones, 71-66, Saturday afternoon in the first meeting between the schools.

The Cyclones (13-8, 7-4 Big 12) led by five points at the half but the Knights (11-9, 2-8) scored 47 points in the second half to earn their second Big 12 win of the season.

ISU entered the game sixth nationally in rebound margin but was outdone on the glass, 39-30, thanks in part to UCF's 44.3 field goal percentage.

How It Happened
Hannah Belanger connected on a pair of 3-pointers in the first five minutes as the Cyclones led 10-9 at the first media timeout of the game. The Knights took the lead into the quarter as Kaitlin Peterson made a steal and went in for a layup, putting UCF up 13-12 at the break.

The Knights owned a 14-6 edge on the glass in the first quarter, pulling down seven offensive boards to control the pace of the game.

Both teams got off to a slow start in the second quarter, including ISU opening the frame just 2-for-9 from the field. But ISU would make its next four field goals and five of six the remainder of the half.

After UCF went on a quick 4-0 run, Kelsey Joens connected on a 3-pointer to put the Cyclones up 29-24 at halftime. The Knights shot just 30 percent from the field in the opening half.

UCF used a 7-2 run to close the third quarter and outscored the Cyclones 26-20 in the period as it held a 50-49 lead heading into the fourth. It was the Mya Burns show for UCF in the third with the senior scoring 14 points and connecting on 4-of-5 3-pointers to pace her squad. As a team, UCF shot 67 percent, making 8-of-12 attempts from the field to regain the lead.

The Knights extended their lead to eight points with just under two minutes remaining and were able to fend off a late Cyclone rally.

Key Performers
Emily Ryan led all Cyclone scorers with 18 points, sinking all 10 of her free-throw attempts. Freshman Audi Crooks was 6-for-9 from the field and chipped in 15 points to go along with 11 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season.

Burns led UCF with 20 points, while Laila Jewett tallied 14 points.

Notes

Iowa State women's basketball's all-time record moved to 840-661 (.560) and 327-349 (.484) all-time in conference games.
Head coach Bill Fennelly's career record moved to 769-361 (.681). His Iowa State record is now 603-308 (.663) overall.
The first meeting between Iowa State and UCF moves the all-time series record to 1-0 in favor of the Knights.
With Hannah Belanger's 3-pointer in the first quarter, Iowa State has now recorded a triple in an NCAA women's basketball record 915 consecutive games.
ISU was outrebounded for the first time this season, losing the battle on the boards, 39-30.
Four Cyclones finished in double figures, led by Emily Ryan's 18 points. Iowa State is 3-2 this season when four players score in double digits.
Emily Ryan finished with a game-high seven assists. It is the 75^th time in her career that she has posted five or more dimes.
Passing out seven assists tonight, Emily Ryan has recorded 680 assists throughout her career. The mark is third most in Iowa State program history and 39 behind Lyndsey Medders with the second-highest total (719).

Next Up
Iowa State returns home next Saturday to host Oklahoma at 6 p.m.

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Team Stats

Emily Ryan

Audi Crooks

Hannah Belanger

Addy Brown

Players Mentioned

Hannah Belanger

Audi Crooks

Kelsey Joens

Emily Ryan

Players Mentioned

Hannah Belanger

Audi Crooks

Kelsey Joens

Emily Ryan

Sponsors

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