The ISU women’s basketball team struggled Wednesday night, but was able to pull off a 58-54 victory against conference floormat Missouri in Columbia, Mo.

After playing four straight top-20 teams, the Cyclones finally got an easier opponent, but not an easier night. The game was in limbo until the final possessions, when Iowa State was able to come up with several defensive stops at the end to snag its 17th victory of the season.

The largest lead by either team was seven points by the Cyclones (17-10, 6-8 Big 12) after a Heather Ezell three with eight minutes remaining. The Tigers (9-18, 2-12) countered with a 9-0 run of their own, retaking the lead, 49-47, with six minutes to go.

The teams traded baskets for the next four minutes before the crucial basket.

Sophomore guard Alison Lacey shot 1-for-7 from behind the arc before she drilled a game-changing three with two minutes remaining, breaking a tie and giving the Cyclones a three-point lead. Following the bucket the Cyclones never surrendered the lead.

With 15 seconds remaining, junior Amanda Nisleit hit one of two from the charity stripe to give the Cyclones a 56-54 lead.

On Missouri’s ensuing possession, Alyssa Hollins’ three pointer, which would likely have been a game-winner for the Tigers, rimmed out. Junior Jocelyn Anderson rebounded the miss and went to the free-throw line with 4.7 seconds left. She knocked down both shots and clinched the win for the Cyclones.

Anderson, Ezell and Kelsey Bolte had 12 points each, leading a balanced scoring attack for the Cyclones. Lacey added 10 of her own, rounding out the foursome of double-digit scorers.

Anderson led the team in rebounds, with 10, and Iowa State out-rebounded the Tigers 42-23.