Just under nine minutes into the game, a hint of frustration crept onto the faces of some of Iowa State’s players as yet another missed shot clanked off the rim.

The Cyclones’ 2-16 start from the field brought eerily similar memories from their slow start in the first half against Oklahoma four days earlier.

But, like Wednesday’s game, a stifling performance on the defensive end kept Texas equally cold from the floor as the Longhorns held only a 7-5 lead with 12 minutes left in the half.

“To our players’ credit, what they’ve done all year, we’re not making shots but we’re still in the game,” ISU head coach Bill Fennelly said. “We have not allowed our lack of offensive abilities to impact us on the defensive end.”

All it took was a series of quick baskets to spark the Cyclone offense.

Junior Alison Lacey put in an easy layup at the 11:11 mark, starting the Cyclones’ on an 11-2 run over the next two minutes. Iowa State kept the momentum going to finish the half with a 26-20 lead and improving its field goal percentage to 30.3 percent.

Iowa State’s streaky shooting finally started to hurt them as the Longhorns fought back to take a 35-34 lead with a little more than 11 minutes to play.

“We changed our defense several times because when they get comfortable they’re so good,” Texas coach Gail Goestenkors said. “We tried to change things up to keep them a little off-balance”

The Cyclones traded baskets for the next several minutes. Lacey hit her sixth basket of the game to put her team up 52-49 with two minutes remaining. That basket was the team’s last of the game. Several missed opportunities later, Iowa State found its self feeling the sting of a 55-52 loss — the team’s first loss at home this season.

“I think we got a little passive on offense and didn’t really get anything going,” Lacey said.

For the fourth time in the last five games, Iowa State was held to a shooting percentage under 40 percent, ending the game with a 35.8 clip from the field. Even with the low offensive production, the Cyclones are still among the conference’s top-teams all vying for positioning in the standings.

“We have to continue to embrace what we are and not apologize for what we’re not,” Fennelly said. “We don’t have a player on this team who’s going to make the All-conference team, which is okay, but that means we’ve got to do everything collectively.”

Cyclone pink-out

In honor of breast-cancer awareness, ISU players dressed in pink jerseys and shoes. The crowd of 12,242 joined the Cyclones by filling the stands with a sea of pink-colored clothing.

Sunday’s game was part of the a nationwide effort to bring attention to the devastating effects of breast cancer.

“I want to thank everyone for being part of such a great day. A lot of things were accomplished today beyond winning and losing,” Fennely said. “I think we showed the country what Iowa State fans are all about.”