Saturday the Cyclones’ goal was to speed up the Kansas State offense, but Wednesday night Iowa State hoped to slow down Texas A&M. In the first half the Aggies had zero fast break points, something the team usually relies strongly on. In A&M’s last game the Aggies had 29 fast break points; and at Hilton on Wednesday Texas A&M finished with just eight. 

The Cyclones didn’t give the Aggies any second chances in the first half, ripping down 16 defensive boards. It was one-and-done for the Aggies who finished with just six offensive rebounds in the entire game. 

Defensively the effort came from everyone in the Cyclone lineup. Kelsey Bolte, a sophomore guard led the Cyclones in rebounds in the first half with seven. Senior Heather Ezell contributed five boards of her own. 

“They just wanted the ball more,” said A&M head coach Gary Blair.

Bolte carried the weight in the first half, leading the Cyclones with 13 points while Ezell came out on fire in the second half with Iowa State’s first 14 points of the half. Ezell led the Cyclones with a total of 25 points in the game. 

“We had some kids lay down on us today and I have never had that happen before,” Blair said.

Alison Lacey scored just once in the first half, but her left-handed buzzer beater in traffic sent the Cyclones into the locker room with momentum. Lacey’s trey extended Iowa State’s lead 33-21 just before halftime. 

Senior Amanda Nisleit added to the momentum in the first half with seven points in the final three minutes of the half. 

“She’s just a very, very good role player on a team that does the little things right,” said Blair.

Nisleit finished with ten points and two assists for Iowa State. 

The Cyclones held Texas A&M to 50 points, the lowest the Aggies have scored all season, and over 17 points under the team’s season average. A&M is the 17th opponent this season that Iowa State has held under 60 points. 

Players like Denae Stuckey, who usually don’t get a lot of credit contributed greatly to the Cyclone victory. Stuckey led the team in assists with five, a career high for the junior guard. 

“Denae Stuckey did a tremendous job out there, she was really on,” Blair said. 

Stuckey also ripped down six boards for the Cyclones. 

“I mean she got in there and she really stripped away the rebounds,” Bolte said. “That’s one of her positive things that she does when she goes in there, she really rebounds hard.” 

Stuckey finished the game without as single turnover and guarded Aggie Takia Starks solidly while she was in the game. 

“The way Stuckey played is how we win games here. She played 17 minutes, doesn’t turn the ball over, has five assists, guards well against a player that is going to go pro,” head coach Bill Fennelly said. 

Blair complimented Iowa State on its effort.

“You saw a number 21 team in the country play like a number four team in the country and they’re very deserving,” Blair said.