Iowa State makes Big 12 tournament debut with win against Kansas

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Photo: Kelby Wingert/Iowa State Daily

Senior Chelsea Poppens shoots against the Oklahoma State University Cowgirls on March 4.

Dylan Montz

Iowa State was able to carry its momentum from Monday night’s home win against Oklahoma State with it to the Big 12 tournament in Dallas.

No. 2-seeded Iowa State defeated No. 7-seeded Kansas, 77-62 on Saturday night in the second round of the Big 12 Championship at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

The Cyclones (22-7, 12-6 Big 12) started slow in the contest committing six turnovers in the first three and a half minutes. Iowa State allowed the Jayhawks (18-13, 8-10 Big 12) to open the game with a score of 6-0.

After that, the ISU offense began clicking and the Cyclones used a 27-10 run to earn a 27-16 advantage. Iowa State took a 34-26 lead into halftime and never looked back for the rest of the night.

Forward Chelsea Poppens led the way with another double-double for Iowa State with 24 points and 14 rebounds while shooting 10-of-13 from the field. Forward Hallie Christofferson added 23 points and was a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line.

Iowa State will face No. 3-seeded Oklahoma on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at American Airlines Center in Dallas.