The ISU women’s basketball team suffered its third close loss of the season Sunday to Texas A&M, and a triple threat of Oklahoma State players pose another obstacle for the Cyclones (11-8, 2-6 Big 12) when they come to Ames on Wednesday. 

“I think our guards are really going to have to step in and play one of their best defensive games again like they have in the past,” said forward Hallie Christofferson. “I think that instead of keying in on just one individual, we’re going to have do [that to] all of them so they don’t each have a big game.”

Freshman Liz Donohoe, sophomore Tiffany Bias and junior Toni Young all come into the game averaging double figures in points for the Cowgirls (12-5, 4-4).

In addition to paying attention to the Cowgirls from the field, the Cyclones also will have to keep one of the Big 12’s best free-throw shooting teams (74.8 percent) and Christofferson said it comes down to effort.

“I think we’re going to have to do the extra work beforehand so we don’t put them in a situation that we foul and make them get to the free-throw line,” Christofferson said.

In its road loss to Texas A&M on Sunday, the Cyclones turned the ball over 18 times to the Aggies’ 10.

Turnovers have been a difference maker in just about every game this season and will continue to play a role Wednesday as the Cowgirls have Iowa State beat by 50 in the category.

“Just taking care of the ball,” said Anna Prins on fixing the problem. “I think it’s an important aspect of the game [and] not letting our turnovers turn into points for them.”

Even though it surmounted to another tally in the loss column, Christofferson said the Cyclones took some positives out of the game and that effort just needs to carry over to help get a win against the Cowgirls.

“Play hard just like we did at A&M, and if you play hard, there’s always a chance to win,” Christofferson said. “That’s going to be very beneficial because we know we can, so that’s what we have to do.”

In addition to that momentum, the game will be the first home game for the Cyclones in more than a week, and Prins said the familiar scenery will help reduce stress so they can focus on the game.

On a side note, tragedy struck the Oklahoma State and Big 12 community when OSU coach Kurt Budke and assistant coach Miranda Serna were killed in a place crash while on a recruiting trip.

Oklahoma State has said it doesn’t want to be recognized for what happened and just wants to play basketball, but the ISU coaching staff will wear the “4” pins like they have all season.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Hilton Coliseum.