The Lowdown:

Iowa State didn’t allow Oklahoma State to hold on to the reins too long in Hilton Coliseium on Wednesday night. The Cowgirls gave it a good ride, but a Cyclone surge in the second half ended with a win 73-52. Iowa State hit the sweet spot from 3-point range eight times. Iowa State went 23-33 from the field, to make up for shooting fouls committed by Oklahoma State. 

Turning point:

The Cyclones (12-8, 3-6 Big 12) led 30-28 at halftime, but after a locker room break Iowa State’s stride couldn’t be broken. The Cyclones went on a seven-point run in the first three minutes of second-half play, followed up by another nine-point run. The Cyclones only allowed the Cowgirls (12-6, 4-5) to score four points in the first 10 minutes of play during the second half. 

X Factor:

Junior forward Anna Prins

With a season high eight rebounds and 16 points, Prins helped bury the Cowgirls into a 21-point deficit. Prins also outscored her season average of 13.7 points a game.

By the numbers: 

1 – OSU forward Liz Donohue’s ranking in the Big 12 for free throw percentage (.953)

1 – number of OSU players in double digit points

4 – number ISU players in double digit points

9- number of double doubles by junior Chelsea Poppens this season (11 points, 16 rebounds against Oklahoma State)

Post game chatter:

Coach Bill Fennelly: “Our first half was hard, because we had a lot of good looks at the basket, but couldn’t score, but the second half we shot better and continued to defend.”

Fennelly on Prins: “That might have been, when you look at her numbers, considering the opponent – the best game she’s had all year.” 

Coach Jim Littell on junior Chelsea Poppens: “She’s my favorite player in the league. She plays the game the way it ought to be played. She plays the game with respect, she competes all the time, plays extremely hard.”

Prins: “I wasn’t really thinking about it. I just went out there and played.”

“We knew that we were quicker post players so we knew we could run the floor and that’s what we tried to do.” 

Sophomore Hallie Christofferson: “At halftime we knew we weren’t playing good. We knew we had to step it up and we did that the second half.”

Up next:

Iowa State will host Texas in Hilton Coliseum on Saturday at 1 p.m.