The Lowdown

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — In Chelsea Poppens’ first start since suffering a concussion on Nov. 23, the ISU women’s basketball team defeated Northern Iowa 67-59 on Monday night at the McLeod Center.

After the Panthers (4-6) opened the game leading 12-11, the Cyclones (7-1) ended the first half leading 33-20. In the second half, Northern Iowa began with an 11-5 run and was within at least 13 points for most of the half but was unable to secure a victory.

X-Factor

Forward Hallie Christofferson continued to prove to be a scoring threat from outside as well as inside. Christofferson had 21 points in the win and was 4-of-8 from behind the arc.

Christofferson also had 10 rebounds in the victory to secure a double-double.

Turning Point

With 12:19 left to play in the first half, Iowa State found itself at a 12-11 disadvantage with all of Northern Iowa’s points coming from 3-point baskets. ISU point guard Nikki Moody responded with a 3-point shot of her own giving the Cyclones a 14-12 lead.

Iowa State would take its 12-11 deficit and turn that into an 18-5 run giving the Cyclones a 29-15 lead.

By The Numbers

30: Points in the paint by Iowa State in its win. Northern Iowa had 16 points in the paint on the night.

10: Consecutive times the Cyclones have defeated the Panthers. The ISU winning streak against Northern Iowa dates back to 2003 with ISU coach Bill Fennelly’s all-time record against the Panthers now standing at 16-2.

11: Three-point makes for the Panthers. Northern Iowa attempted 34 three-pointers in the contest.

12: Times Iowa State went to the free-throw line against Northern Iowa. The Cyclones made 91.7 percent of their free-throw attempts.

Quotables

ISU coach Bill Fennelly on why Iowa State travels to Northern Iowa for basketball games instead of having another home contest.

“These in-state games are important to our school, important to the sport, and they get the most media coverage. This environment is like a Big 12 environment. You’re going to play a highly motivated team. I told our players, this is the biggest game on UNI’s schedule. That’s the mindset we had to think about.”

Poppens on the Iowa State fan support at Northern Iowa.

“It was just great to see [us] have our own little section up there. It’s just great to have them here supporting us at our away games and it kind of feels like a home game a little bit just having all my friends and family there.”

UNI coach Tanya Warren on the importance of opening the second half with an 11-5 run to put the Panthers back into the game.

“We talked about it was a new 20 [minutes]. This is what I told them, in my mind, the score is 0-0. It is very important that we start the first four minutes and we come out swinging and I thought we did that.”