Pair of milestones highlight Iowa State-Texas matchup

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Photo: Tim Reuter/Iowa State Daily

Guard Jessica Schroll goes up for a shot against a Mizzou opponent during the Iowa State-Missouri game Saturday.The Mizzou Tigers lost to the Cyclones with a final score of 71-56.

Dan Tracy

ESPN calls its Monday coverage of college basketball Big Monday, but at Hilton Coliseum tonight, it could be renamed Milestone Monday. The Cyclones have the opportunity to win their 300th game in Hilton Coliseum and, by making a three-point basket, could set a new NCAA record for consecutive games with a 3-pointer made when they host Texas.

Coincidentally, the game will be broadcast on ESPN2 as part of ESPN’s Big Monday coverage.

“On Monday night our players get to play in a game that they watch on TV and dream about all the time,” said ISU coach Bill Fennelly following the win over Colorado. “You’re on Big Monday, and I think that’s pretty cool.”

Iowa State (18-8, 6-6 Big 12) has made at least one 3-pointer in 510 consecutive games beginning with an 83-38 loss to Colorado on Feb. 18, 1995. The Cyclones were a game behind Canisius College for the longest active streak, but the Griffins failed to make a 3-pointer Friday night in a 66-56 loss to Iona.

“It’s one of those stats that, you know, stat geeks think is cool,” Fennelly said. “Anything that brings national attention in a positive way to Iowa State University and our community is a good thing.”

This season the Cyclones are making 6.8 3-pointers per game.

“Iowa State right now is known for it’s threes so it’s huge for us,” said sophomore guard Jessica Schroll.

In the 441st ISU game held at Hilton Coliseum — the Cyclones are 299-141 — the No. 20 Cyclones will welcome the Texas Longhorns (17-9, 6-6). At 6-6 in conference play, the Cyclones, Longhorns and Texas Tech Red Raiders all currently sit tied in fifth place in the Big 12.

Gail Goestenkors’s squad began Big 12 play with four-straight losses, but since then has gone 6-2 over their last eight games. Freshman guard Chassidy Fussell is averaging 19.9 points during Big 12 play, which leads conference freshmen.

At 17.8 points per game this season, the Troy, Tenn., native is the third-best freshman scorer in the nation.

Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.