Behind Chelsea Poppens’ fifth double-double of the season, Iowa State defeated New Hampshire 71-57 in Hilton Coliseum Thursday night, Dec. 29. 

After starting the game leading 23-8 with 11:36 to go, the Cyclones allowed New Hampshire to get back in the game as they finished on a 19-14 run and went into the half 37-27.

In the second half, the Wildcats cut the lead to nine before Iowa State pulled away. After it was 40-49 with 12:11 left in the half, the Cyclones went on a 19-9 run and never looked back. 

Leading Iowa State was Hallie Christofferson with 15 points. Behind her was Poppens with 14. Also in double digits was freshman point guard Nikki Moody with 10. Moody also led the team with six assists, but had four turnovers to go with them. 

Although ISU coach Bill Fennelly expressed after the game that he wasn’t pleased with his team’s effort, the Cyclones did score the ball well. The Cyclones scored their fourth-highest point total of the season with 71. They also shot better from behind the arc than from the field with 37.5 percent compared to 36.5. percent.

Iowa State continutes in the Cyclones Challenge tomorrow facing Buffalo in the finals at 7:30 p.m.