Consistent scoring has been an area of concern for the Cyclones all season, but on Sunday against Kansas the shots stopped falling all together.

After managing to shoot 40 percent in the first half, Iowa State suddenly went cold, making only five its last 30 shots, ending the game with a 27.3 shooting percentage. Kansas made the missed opportunities hurt as the Jayhawks were able to push ahead for a 58-47 victory.

“We’ve struggled to score, but it’s the first time all year that we had no one whose numbers were very good offensively and it put us in a bad spot. It’s something we’ve overcome most of the season. We couldn’t overcome it yesterday,” coach Bill Fennelly said Monday at his weekly press conference.

In its last five games, Iowa State is averaging only 52.4 points per game. The Cyclones had the opportunity to put up higher offensive numbers, but were unable to convert on several open looks near the basket.

“Obviously it gets frustrating,” senior Nicky Wieben said about the team’s offensive struggles. “We’ve had the open looks but its up to us as players to finish the shots.”

Although they have had issues putting up points, with help of the Big 12’s No. 2-ranked defense the Cyclones remain in a solid position as they head into their last four regular season games. At a record of 7-5 in the Big 12, Iowa State is currently in a tie with Texas for fifth – although the Cyclones are within two games of three of the teams in front of them. With the conference race still tight, each win becomes even more important as Iowa State tries to bolster its NCAA Tournament resume.

“I think we’re in a great position. All our numbers are good,” Fennelly said. “Are we in? No. Are we in a position to talk about it? Absolutely yes.”

Trying to rebound from their poor shooting performance at Kansas will be a key component for the Cyclones in sorting out their tournament hopes. Although the team did not perform up to par on Sunday, it is not straying far from the way it has carried itself in practice all year.

“You’re initial reaction is to get them on the court and bust them,” Fennelly said. “But logically that makes it worse.”

After a loss, Fennelly said he tends to receive a lot of e-mails, with some offering ‘friendly’ advice.

“The first four e-mails I got, two of them that said we have to practice longer, harder, shoot more. The last two were that you look tired. Practice less.” Fennelly said slyly. “We’re kinda in the middle right there trying to figure out what is best.

As the Cyclones prepare to host Colorado — Iowa State’s fourth game in 10 days — Fennelly is hoping Wednesday will provide a crucial step towards gaining momentum heading into the last two weeks of the season.

“We’ve always been a team that has played with a lot of energy and had our legs at the end of the year, historically. So I hope yesterday was an aberration,” Fennelly said.

Quick look at Colorado

When it comes to the Colorado offense, look no further then sophomore forward Brittany Spears. Averaging 18.3 points per game, Spears has been the main source of the Buffaloes’ offensive production this season. Nearly a third of Colorado’s conference point total is provided by Spears, who averages 37.9 minutes per game.

“We spent an hour trying to figure out who to put on her,” Fennelly said. “You put a smaller person on her, she’s long and shoot over them. You put a taller person on her she’s going to go by her.”

In Iowa State’s first meeting with the Buffaloes this season, the Cyclones were able to keep Spears in check, holding her to 14 points.

“She’s a taller guard. She can shoot. She can drive. But I think the coaches did a good job with the scouting report last time,” Wieben said.

The trick to guarding her, Fennelly said, is understanding she will score, but trying to prevent open looks.

“It becomes a team defensive game. Everyone is going to have the chance to guard her,” Fennelly said.

Besides the standout performance from Spears, little has gone right for Colorado this season. The Buffaloes, currently last in the Big 12, have failed to create any momentum during the conference season, losing four of their last five games.