The Lowdown

Iowa State rode a 19-2 run to start the second half to a win against Kansas, 66-47. The Cyclones (15-9, 6-7 Big 12) outscored the Jayhawks (17-8, 6-7) 45-24 in the second half. Iowa State was able to shoot 60 percent in the second half compared to 31 in the first half. That mark is the highest shooting percentage in any half this season for the Cyclones. 

Kansas struggled most of the night without its go-to player in Carolyn Davis. Davis, who is out with a knee injury, averaged 16.9 points per game before she was injured. Stepping in place of Davis was Kansas’ Aishah Sutherland, who carried the load offensively the entire night for the Jayhawks with 19 points.

X Factor

Guard Chassidy Cole

Cole filled in for freshman point guard Nikki Moody, who struggled in the first half. She played 34 minutes and flirted with a double-double and had one of her best games of the year. She finished the night with 11 assists, eight rebounds and six points. 

Turning Point

Iowa State started the second half on a 19-2 run. The Cyclones scored 19 points in the first 4:18 of the second half after having 21 points in the entire first half. Brynn Williamson started in place of a struggling Nikki Moody and sparked the run with two-straight 3-pointers. 

By the Numbers

12 — Chelsea Poppens recorded her 12th double-double of the year against Kansas. 

5-8 — Iowa State’s 3-pointers in the second half.

60 — The Cyclones’ percentage shooting in the second half.

38-22 — Iowa State out-rebounded Kansas 38-22 on the night. 

30 — The number of charges Chelsea Poppens has taken this season.

Postgame Chatter

“The talk at halftime. Coach [Fennelly] just talked to us at halftime and said make shots, set your feet. Everyone came together. Everyone made shots.” — Brynn Williamson, on what changed at halftime

“Coach [Fennelly] kind of got on to us. He told Lauren and me we really need to step up. I felt like if I didn’t step up our team was going to go down the drain. The team was depending on us.” — Chassidy Cole, on what she did in the second half. 

“The second half was probably as good as we could play. I basically told the seniors at hafltime. Decide where you want to go. I’m going to give you the ball and we’ll see.” — coach Bill Fennelly, on what he said to his seniors at halftime. 

“I think [Chassidy] and Lauren had the patience to let them get open. When we got the ball down there we finished. We haven’t shot 60 percent in the half, we haven’t shot 60 percent if the other team left the court.” — Fennelly, on his team’s post scoring.

Up Next

Iowa State continues its home-stand this Saturday against Oklahoma (16-8, 8-4) in the annual Play4Kay Pink game. Tip off is set for 7 p.m.