When ISU fans think of Hampton, they think of the numbers two and 15 and the date March 15, 2001, but not the Cyclone women’s basketball team.

The Cyclones(11-2) beat the Lady Pirates(5-6), 66-47, to clinch the championship of the 2007 American Family Insurance Cyclone Shoot-Out on Sunday, and had no idea about the history of the Iowa State men’s team’s historical collapse to Hampton in the NCAA Tournament.

“We had no idea about that, what happened,” said junior Nicky Wieben. “That’s pretty interesting though.”

Hampton was overmatched and severely outsized. The Lady Pirates had just one player in their starting five that eclipsed 5-foot-10. Meanwhile, the Cyclones had three starters at 6-foot or taller. The undersized opponent made for a different style game for the Cyclones.

“They were hard to guard because they were quick,” said sophomore Alison Lacey. “We looked to the post a lot more than we usually do.”

By halftime it looked like Wieben would have a shot at a triple-double with eight points, five rebounds and seven blocked-shots. Wieben ended the game with 16 points but was unable to expand in the other areas. The seven blocks tied a career-high.

“Nicky is long and athletic,” said head coach Bill Fennelly. “Good shot blockers are people that just get them, they don’t go for them.”

At halftime the Cyclones had a 37-20 lead, catapulted by seven three pointers. Lacey had 12 points on four three’s at half.

The second half was fairly uneventful and the Cyclones took care of business as usual with smothering defense and a set-play offense. With six minutes remaining, Fennelly had his second team in, but after six quick unanswered Hampton points the starters were immediately reinstated.

Amanda Nisleit and Lacey were named to the All-Tournament team, with Lacey taking MVP honors. She averaged 15 points and five assists in the three Cyclone victories. Fennelly said Lacey undoubtedly was the best player in this tournament, but that nobody deserves an All-Tournament nod more than Nisleit.

“I’ve seen a lot of tournaments and I’ve seen a lot of All-Tournament teams, there has never been a kid who earned an award more than Nisleit did,” said Fennelly. “Nis did all the things we’ve been talking about.”

This tournament concludes the Cyclones’ pre-Big 12 schedule. Their next game will be against No. 9 Oklahoma on Jan. 9. Fennelly thinks his team is well prepared for the tough road ahead.

“I’m very proud and very pleased with what we’ve done, at this point in the season we’re in as good of position as we could’ve dreamed of in the fall,” said Fennelly.

“When you’re going into the Big 12 you got to have a good record, you have to. I think top to bottom we’ll be the best women’s basketball league in the country.”

The Jan. 9 Big 12 opener against Oklahoma will be played in Hilton at 8 p.m.