KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It took a Big 12 Tournament record 44 field goal attempts and 12 seconds that seemed more like an eternity, but Oklahoma State found a way to upset the second-seeded Cyclones, 62–59. 

The Cyclones were without senior guard Alison Lacey; however, Iowa State refused to make her absence an excuse for the loss.

“Lacey not being on the court — sure it impacts our team — she‘s one of the best point guards in the country,” said coach Bill Fennelly. “Obviously that impacts our team, but that’s not an excuse. You can’t go 8-for-23 in the post and you can’t turn the ball over 18 times.”

Post play was not the only offensive category in which the Cyclones struggled. Iowa State could not find its jump shot and went 7-of-51 from the field.

The Cyclones have been known primarily as a 3-point shooting team, shooting .393 from beyond the arc and leading the Big 12 in 3-point field goal percentage.

Friday night, the Cyclones went eight for 30 and shot only 26.7 from 3-point range. 

But while the Cyclones were struggling to find their shot in the first half, Riley had no problems converting her shot.

For most of the first half, Iowa State could not contain Andrea Riley. She scored 16 of the Cowgirls’ first 22 points and put on display the sort of skills that helped her become the Big 12’s all-time leading scorer. 

After making seemingly every shot she attempted during the first half, Riley slowed down and went on a stretch where she was 2-of-20 from the field. 

Once Riley began to miss shots, the Cyclones took advantage. Freshman center Anna Prins led a furious comeback that eventually led to a six-point lead for the Cyclones. 

“We started making shots and really played well on defense,” Prins said. “We had that not-going-to-lose mentality and things seemed to start going our way.” 

Prins scored eight of her 15 points during the Cyclones 11–1 run to open the second half.

Despite Riley’s struggles that led to the Cyclones taking the lead, OSU coach Kurt Budke remained confident in his star. Budke talked to Riley before the start of the second half and offered his support to the struggling senior. 

“I just told her that I believe in her and I have believed in her for four years,” Budke said. “I said if you shoot 50 shots tonight and we lose, that’s OK. But I bet you we win if you do.”

Riley listened to Budke’s suggestions and once again took over during the second half. With Oklahoma State trailing the Cyclones 47–46, Riley had a near perfect final eight minutes. 

Riley made seven of her last 10 shots and made four consecutive clutch free throws to seal the game. 

“In the game of basketball, it’s always up and down,” Riley said. “Sometimes you’re just not going to stay hot. So I had just had to listen to my coaches and my teammates who continued to be in my ear, and I’m glad and appreciate how much they support me and have so much confidence in me. They really made me push it at the end.” 

Fennelly took much of the blame for the defensive strategy against Riley that allowed her to take 44 shots. 

“She’s so dynamic with the ball, we wanted to try and make her take tough shots,” Fennelly said. “I take 100 percent responsibility for the game plan, but that was the only chance we had to win the game.”