The last time the ISU women’s basketball team visited Texas, the trip resulted in its only loss in the month of February, when it dropped an 81-64 decision to Baylor in Waco, Texas, on Feb. 4.

This time around, the Cyclones are hoping for a better result.

When the Cyclones head south for their final regular season conference game on Thursday, they face a challenge that they have been able to overcome in the 11-year history of the Big 12 – winning in Lubbock, Texas.

Iowa State (21-7, 9-6 Big 12) will visit Texas Tech (15-14, 6-9 Big 12) in what will be the last conference game for each team prior to the start of the Big 12 Tournament in Oklahoma City on Tuesday.

The teams enter the game moving in opposite directions, as Iowa State has won its last four, while the Lady Raiders have dropped three straight and six of their last seven.

“We are playing real well,” ISU coach Bill Fennelly said. “The team has worked hard all year and things are coming together.”

Given Tech’s recent losing trend, Fennelly said he wants to finish the season on a good note and keep momentum rolling for the conference tournament.

“We want to finish strong,” Fennelly said. “[Lubbock is a] tough place to win but we want to finish the regular season continuing to play well as a team and feel like we are heading to the Big 12s with good momentum.”

Although the Cyclones have never won in five tries at Texas Tech’s United Spirit Arena, the Lady Raiders have lost their last three home games there.

The game will also be Senior Night for Texas Tech, marking the last time seniors Brooke Baughman, Alesha Robertson, Chesley Dabbs and Patrice Edwards will have the opportunity to play a home game.

Fennelly said Senior Night, along with the versatility of the Lady Raiders’ team, will make it difficult, as always, to win in Lubbock.

“[Texas] Tech is tough for many reasons; it is a great home court advantage, they can go four guards or big, not many teams have a six-foot-six senior in Patrice Edwards,” Fennelly said.

“Also, it is Senior Night and that means a great deal of emotion for the three seniors who will start and play a great deal.”

Win or lose, the Cyclones have the fifth seed in the Big 12 Tournament and will play a first-round game. As the fifth seed, Iowa State plays its first game against the No. 12 seed – likely Kansas – at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.

With a win, the Cyclones would face No. 4 seed Nebraska at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. The tournament takes place at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City.