The lowdown

Iowa State clinched its first win in conference play with a 66-49 win against No. 17 Texas Tech. The Cyclones lost the lead only once throughout the game, which was in the first four minutes of the game.

Iowa State out-performed Texas Tech in all statistical categories. With three minutes to go, the Cyclones were leading the Red Raiders by 22 points.

Turning point

A 3-point buzzer-beater by senior Chassidy Cole to end the first half in a 29-23 Cyclone advantage generated momentum for Iowa State.

Iowa State shot 38 percent from beyond the arc, making nine 3-pointers overall. Sophomore Hallie Christofferson led the Cyclones in 3s with five.

Texas Tech’s 10 fouls only helped Iowa State, which shot 76 percent from the free-throw line.

The Red Raiders’ 29 percent field goal shooting allowed for the Cyclones to capitlize on Texas Tech’s missed opportunities and pull down 44 rebounds as a team.

X Factor

ISU forward Hallie Christofferson

Christofferson banked two 3-pointers in the first half, bringing the white-out crowd at Hilton Coliseum to its feet. Christofferson ended the game with 19 points while also pulling down 10 rebounds for a double-double.

Junior Chelsea Poppens earned her eighth double-double of the season with 15 rebounds and 10 points.

Postgame chatter

Christofferson on her 3-pointers: “I guess after the first one I got a lot more confidence, then I found myself open more than usual.”

Guard Lauren Mansfield on when it all clicked: “It felt really good. There was a lot of energy on the floor as well as on the bench. It feels good when you see a teammate getting shots and you’re hitting shots and it just feels good. I wish we could have that every game.”

Coach Bill Fennelly on Cole’s buzzer-beater at the half: “To me that’s what seniors do. She’s a kid that has been in and out, up and down.”

“The three at the end of the first half was of those shots that people have been hitting on us a lot in this five game losing streak. It’s nice that a senior did it on a night against a very good team at home.”

By the numbers

1 – Number of games Cyclones have won in conference play

3 – Number of Cyclones with double-digit points

5 – Number of 3-pointers by Christofferson

8 – Poppens’ national ranking in rebounds

 

 

8 – Number of double-doubles for Poppens this season

2002 – Last time Texas Tech has won in Ames

Up next

The Cyclones will take on Kansas State on Wednesday in Manhattan, Kan.