OKLAHOMA CITY — Iowa State was off to a hot start from behind the arc in the first half March 8 before tapering off in the second, falling 67-57 to Oklahoma State in the second round of the Big 12 Championship.

Oklahoma State did most of its damage in the paint, scoring 40 down low. More than half of the Cowgirls’ baskets came off layups, and only 12 of their 54 attempts came from outside the paint.

Senior Hallie Christofferson led the way for the Cyclones down low, pulling down 11 rebounds and scoring 21 points, but was limited as she attracted more attention.

“They’re strong post players, pushing you out of the lane, trying to hold you off the block,” Christofferson said. “Once you did get down inside if you put the ball down on the floor, then they are coming to double, they’re coming to strip it out and you just had to kind of change up how you played knowing that there were going to be two or three coming.”

Iowa State’s 22 points in the paint were due in large part to hot 3-point shooting in the first half and a heavily guarded lane to stop the drive. After going 4-for-6 from 3-point in the first half, Nikki Moody drew more attention defensively and was limited in shot selection.

“I think they were breaking down more and trying to chase me off my shot,” Moody said. “Mostly they were clogging the lane, so it was harder to get in there.”

The Cyclones were able to shut down Liz Donohoe, one of the Cowgirls’ leading scorers and rebounders, finishing the game 0-for-3 with no rebounds.

OSU converts off turnovers

Iowa State led the Cowgirls 37-30 at half with seven turnovers, but held Oklahoma State to only six points off of those turnovers. The Cowgirls came out hot to start the second half, scoring the first nine points and scoring off two turnovers in the first 1:42 of the half.

Iowa State would go on to turn the ball over 16 times in the game and Oklahoma State finished with 17 points off those turnovers. ISU coach Bill Fennelly credited a quick OSU team for many of those points, the majority coming in the paint.

“The points in the paint thing, a lot of it was some transition opportunities by them, but they’re a good team. They’re quick off the bounce,” Fennelly said. “We tried to keep them in front of us as best we could, and for the most part we were OK.”

Iowa State forced 10 turnovers, but did not have the same success on the other end, finishing with six points off turnovers. Fennelly said missed layups hurt the team, missing nine the entire game. The Cowgirls outscored the Cyclones 8-2 on fast break points.

OSU coach Jim Littell was pleased with the Cowgirls’ performance defensively after a slow start in the first half. 

“Second-chance points, points over turnovers, we haven’t done as well as we need to do in the last couple weeks, and it was very good for us tonight,” Littell said. “These kids have found a way to win. Our effort level was much better today.”