The Lowdown

The Cyclones got off to a slow start, shooting only 37.9% in the first half before pulling away in midway through the second half to defeat the Coyotes of South Dakota 88-72 on Wednesday, Nov. 13.

Hallie Christofferson was one of three players in double-digits for the Cyclones, scoring 25 points and grabbing 12 boards to record her 13th double-double of her career. Nikki Moody scored 20 points and dished out seven assists, while Brynn Williamson scored 18 points of her own.

Turning Point

With 8:30 remaining in the game, Raeshel Contreras went to the foul line to shoot a 1-and-1. After making her first, she was called for a technical after shoving a Cyclone player. From that point on, the Cyclones out-scored the Coyotes 31-15, sparked by a Williamson offensive put-back and then a Moody steal and two made free throws on the next possession.

The Cyclones went on a 21-3 run directly after the technical foul over the next five minutes to build a comfortable lead. The Coyotes never cut the lead closer than 15 points the rest of the game.

X Factor

Brynn Williamson – The 5-11 forward’s performance may have been overshadowed by Christofferson’s double-double, but no one made more of a difference when she had the ball than Williamson.

She went 6-for-9 on the floor, scoring 18 points, and made a team-high three 3-pointers. Her offensive rebound and put-back after the technical foul got the ball rolling and started the dominant run that won the Cyclones the game.

Williamson also pulled in five rebounds, three of them offensive, and also accounted for half of the team’s blocked shots with two. 

By The Numbers

16 — Turnovers forced by the Cyclones

27 — Free throws made by the Cyclones. They only missed four the entire game.

40 — Cyclones’ points in the paint

95 — Free throw percentage in the second half. The Cyclones missed only only one of their 20 second half free throws.