When Iowa State (13-3, 1-1) traveled to Kansas State (14-1, 1-1) a year ago, the Cyclones were still trying to fill the void left by Nicky Wieben and Toccara Ross, who both had been lost to ACL injuries earlier in the season. By the end of the game, Kansas State had handed the Cyclones an 80-49 loss.

“It was probably the first time, and only time, that we felt sorry for ourselves,” coach Bill Fennelly said.

Although Iowa State had the last laugh, pulling off a stunning victory over the Wildcats in the Big 12 championships, last year’s loss is still in the thoughts of the team.

“We never forget something like that and the coaches won’t let us forget it, so that will be in the back of our minds when we practice,” said junior guard Alison Lacey. “Hopefully this year will be a completely different story.”

Like Kansas State, the Cyclones enter Saturday having split their first two conference games. Iowa State was not able to follow up its win over No. 22 Oklahoma State, falling 68-57 on the road against No. 5 Baylor.

Wednesday’s game exposed an issue that has caused problems for the team all season — consistent play for an entire game.

“We searching for some balance…we have been eerily consistently inconsistent. It’s hard to figure,” Fennelly said.

Throughout the first half, the Iowa State could not to get into a rhythm offensively, shooting only 18.2 percent from the field. As they struggled to score, Iowa State began committing numerous fouls and turnovers.

“The first half we had a lot of unforced turnovers. I think a lot of it was us beating ourselves,” said Wieben.

With the first half behind them, the Cyclones finally got going offensively, almost doubling their score in four minutes. The difference between the two halves is something the coaching staff is focusing on remedying.

“Every once in a while we get out of our comfort zone or out of what we do best,” Fennelly said. “Not only do we pass up shots we should take, we try to invent shots we don’t have in our game. And that’s something we can change.”

When the Cyclones returned to practice Thursday, they found themselves preparing for a Kansas State team who has a much different approachfrom Baylor.

“They play a very half-court oriented game — they’re very good at it,” Fennelly said. “They don’t turn the ball over. They’re the number one defensive team in the country.”

The Wildcats, who are coming off their sole loss of the season — a 64-48 drubbing by No. 3 Oklahoma — hold opponents to nation leading 48.7 points per game.

On the offensive end Kansas State is led by senior Shalee Lehning, the country’s leader in assists.

“Shalee Lehning is what every coach wants in their players, certainly their point guard— the true leader mentality, knows the system, fights for every inch you can get on every single play,” Fennelly said.

In order to combat Lehning and the tenacious Wildcat defense, the Cyclones are looking to make the changes they need to solve their consistency issues.

“We’ve never had a game that I remember that we all fully came together and everyone played the best they can. It’s hard to get five people on the same page, but it’s something coach Fennelly talks about,” Lacey said. “So hopefully K-state will be the game that the guards and post can come together and play well.”