Even when Hallie Christofferson is in foul trouble, she gets the most out of her limited time on the floor. In 22 minutes against Northern Iowa on Wednesday, the preseason All-Big 12 selection scored 22 points and assisted on five other baskets, while pulling in five rebounds.

The Cyclones went 18 minutes without their star player on the floor but found a way to score 83 points while holding the Panthers to 55. The team’s efficiency did not go unnoticed.

“Iowa State is as efficient of an offensive team as I’ve seen in the country,” said UNI coach Tanya Warren. “When you are playing against a team as efficient and can score from all five positions like Iowa State can, when you get them to miss you have to make sure you secure the rebound because you cannot give them two or three opportunities.”

Christofferson scored 20 points for the sixth time in seven games this season, but ISU coach Bill Fennelly was most impressed by Christofferson’s teammates in the win against Northern Iowa.

Junior guard Nikki Moody scored 16 points and dished out eight assists while leading the team for 36 minutes. Fennelly praised Moody for stepping up when she was needed.

“[That was] by far the best she’s played,” Fennelly said of Moody. “It was a night where we needed those 36 minutes [from her,] and I’m very proud of her.”

Moody provided an offensive spark, using her speed to get to the lane, where she scored the bulk of her points. Her eight assists are a season-high.

Moody downplayed her scoring output noting that she scores as many points as needed for her team, whether it is five or 16. When asked if she was happier with her point total or assist total, her answer was definitive.

“I’m an assist person, so I wish I would have had two more assists,” Moody said. “I really don’t focus on the points; it’s kind of what I can do to get my teammates on a level where they are confident.”

Heading into the matchup against Cal State Fullerton, there could be no Cyclone more confident than Seanna Johnson. The freshman has shined in the last five games, averaging 15.6 points over the stretch with two double-doubles.

However, the team’s efficiency has caused her effectiveness to go unnoticed at times. With veterans Christofferson and Moody combining for 38 points against Northern Iowa, Johnson’s 14 points and career-high 13 rebounds were almost swept under the rug.

“When I was walking down the hall and someone said she had 13 [rebounds] and 14 [points], and I’m like, ‘No way’,” Fennelly said of Johnson’s performance. “That was a quiet 13 and 14, but she played 33 minutes and we asked her to guard about three people and she does it, and she does it well.”

Sunday’s game may not feature a big-name school traveling to Ames, but the matchup creates one of the best story lines of the young season. For the first time in his career, Fennelly will be coaching against one of his own sons, Steven Fennelly, who is a first-year assistant for the Titans.

The elder Fennelly was emotional at media day when asked about the matchup, and said that he will be proud of his son’s new job when they step on the court Sunday.

The game will tip off at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8, at Hilton Coliseum.