IOWA CITY — In the past, coach Bill Fennelly has stressed the fundamental importance of limiting turnovers and staying out of foul trouble.

Thus far in the season the Cyclones have not lived up to either goal.

Last season Iowa State averaged only 13 fouls per game. This season, however, has been a different story, as the Cyclones have averaged 17.1 fouls in seven games, including the 20 they committed against Iowa. Similarly, the Cyclones have turned the ball over an average of 16.8 times this year — almost a three point increase from last year.

“We try to be a more position defense, and, like we said before, we try to do it without fouling,” Fennelly said. “We’ve been struggling with that all year and I thought that was a major factor [Sunday].”

Iowa State’s 66-46 loss to Iowa on Sunday encapsulated the issues they have had.

As a result of the high foul count, the Cyclones sent an Iowa team, which came into the game with a 77 percent free-throw percentage, to the line 24 times. The Hawkeyes made the most of the opportunity by scoring a third of their points — 20 — from the charity stripe.

“We put them on the line way too much, and they were able to get a lead with the clock not moving,” said senior guard Heather Ezell. “It didn’t help that when the clock was moving they were still able to score inside.”

After she picked up her second foul, Iowa State’s leading scorer Alison Lacey was sent to the bench midway through the first half with her team trailing only 15-13. By the time Lacey had re-entered the game at the start of the second half, the Hawkeyes had increased the lead to 38-27.

Lacey said the main point in the locker room at halftime was limiting fouls and turnovers. Despite this focus, Iowa State could not keep the Hawkeyes off the line in the second half.

“We couldn’t get out of that funk. We kept doing it,” Lacey said. “When they shoot 20 out of 24 from the free-throw line, it’s kind of hard to get into a flow.”

Foul problems, coupled with the high turnover rate, allowed Iowa to take advantage of every slip-up, as they scored 25 points off turnovers.

“Almost every single person who played turned the ball over at least once,” Fennelly said. “A good Iowa defense combined with an undisciplined offense, and that’s what happens.”

Senior Nicky Wieben was the only Cyclone who did not commit a turnover.

With the team’s third and final in-state rival game coming up on Thursday against Drake, Lacey expressed the importance that the team evaluates its current position.

“Everyone has to kind of step back and refocus,” Lacey said. “We’re upset that we lost today. It’s embarrassing for our fans, but we have another in-state game on Thursday, and we’re going to recommit, focus and not let this happen again.”

Fennelly, who remained disgruntled even with a night to reflect on Sunday’s loss, echoed Lacey’s sentiments at his press conference on Monday.

“You earn the right to play here and you earn the right to play in front of our fans,” Fennelly said. “And the people who practice the way they are supposed to on Tuesday and Wednesday are going to get that opportunity. It’s not a God-given right. We have the best fans in the country and they deserve better than what they got last night.”

Should fans expect a change in the starting lineup Thursday?

“Absolutely. I couldn’t tell you who, but it will not be the same starting lineup you saw yesterday, and that’s a promise,” Fennelly said.

“Hilton East” provides no payoff

Although Iowa State delivered a lackluster performance on the court, an abundance of Cyclone faithful did their best to fill the stands of the so-called “Hilton East.”

ISU fans flocked in droves to Carver-Hawkeye Arena, creating a sea of cardinal and gold on the southwest end of the arena.

In part from the boost from Cyclone Nation, Iowa’s home attendance jumped to 5,560, more than 2,500 more fans than its season average.

The large crowd didn’t pay off for the Cyclones after Iowa’s early lead promptly eliminated any energy ISU fans had created.

“If we would have given our fans anything to cheer about I think it would have been hard to tell who the home team was,” Fennelly said. “Certainly, we need to do a better job of representing [our fans] on Thursday night against Drake.”