The scoreboard at Hilton Coliseum during Monday afternoon’s practice read “80-49.”

The bright red numbers glowing at all corners of the court served as just one of several reminders of the lopsided outcome from last time the ISU women’s basketball team played Kansas State.

“We didn’t play the way we’re capable of playing out there, and we know that,” said junior Heather Ezell. “We’re going to use that loss as motivation now, because we know we can play better than that.”

The 49 points scored by the Cyclones (15-7, 4-5 Big 12) in that game are the fewest they’ve scored all season, and the 80 they gave up are the second most they’ve allowed. Iowa State gave up several long runs to No. 17 Kansas State (16-6, 8-1), including a 19-4 run to start the game and a 17-0 run in the second half.

“It was, without question, the worst game of the year for us,” said head coach Bill Fennelly. “K-State was playing very well at that time, and they took it to us pretty good.”

The Wildcats scored 24 points off of turnovers on Jan. 23 in Manhattan, Kan., as well as hitting a season-high 12 of 21 three-pointers (57.1%). Iowa State freshman Kelsey Bolte led all players with 17 points, but no other Cyclone scored more than seven.

“We have to do the little things better this time,” Ezell said. “Things like not turning the ball over, not letting them out-rebound us by so much and trying to get them away from the things that they really want to do.”

Kansas State had 22 assists and 10 turnovers, compared to 8 and 17 by the Cyclones. The Wildcats also won the rebounding battle with 38, compared to Iowa State’s 28.

Senior guard Kimberly Dietz leads the Wildcats with an average of 15.2 points per game and is one of four players on Kansas State’s roster who averages double-digit scores. Wildcat junior Marlies Gipson is first on the team and fourth in the conference with 8.3 rebounds per game.

“They’re one of the few teams in our league that legitimately can put five people on the court at one time that you have to guard,” said Fennelly. “We have to be able to defend they way we’re capable of defending. You can’t give up 80 points in this league and have a remote chance to win, I don’t care who you play.”

In the weeks following the loss to the Wildcats, the Cyclones have been playing their best basketball of the season and have won consecutive games for the first time since the last week of December.

Sophomore guard Alison Lacey was named the Big 12 co-player of the week for her performances against Texas Tech and Missouri last week, averaging 23 points, six rebounds and five assists in the two games.

Fennelly thinks a combination of last month’s loss and a recent development of motivation is just what the Cyclones need heading into Wednesday night’s game.

“They should come to practice with a little more pep in their step,” said Fennelly. “They’ve won two games in a row for the first time in a while, and you hope that there’s a better approach and a more competitive mindset than last time.”

Kansas State at Iowa State

At Hilton Coliseum

Tonight at 7 p.m. on Ch. 22

Notes: In the first meeting this season between these two teams, Kansas State delivered an 80-49 beatdown to the Cyclones. The 49 points are the fewest Iowa State has scored all season. The Wildcats have won 11 of their last 12 games.