OKLAHOMA CITY – It all comes full circle.

En route to its eighth win in a row, the ISU women’s basketball team beat the team its winning streak started with on Feb. 14 – Texas A&M.

Its reward? A shot at the Big 12 title.

Fifth seeded Iowa State shocked the No. 13 and top-seeded Aggies 57-51 Thursday night to earn its first trip to the Big 12 Championship since the 2000-01 season. Texas A&M has only lost twice in its past 13 games – both times to the Cyclones.

Not only did the Cyclones advance to the championship game, but they also improved their stock to receive a higher ranking in the NCAA tournament.

“We are ecstatic to still be playing, and we’re playing in the championship game,” said ISU coach Bill Fennelly after his 18th career Big 12 tournament victory, most among active Big 12 coaches.

“Texas A&M is an amazing team and they are going to be a great NCAA team. They are so hard to prepare for.”

But Iowa State prepared the right way.

Powered by solid shooting and stingy defense, the Cyclones upended the Aggies and became just the second fifth seed to advance to the championship game in Big 12 history.

Iowa State’s depth was tested early and often, but the reserves passed the test with flying colors.

With starters Lyndsey Medders in foul trouble and Megan Ronhovde temporarily sidelined with an ankle injury, Iowa State’s bench proved just how deep it is.

Reserves Heather Ezell, Amanda Nisleit and Rachel Pierson combined for 16 points, as Iowa State’s bench outscored Texas A&M’s 16-9.

“Our bench has been very, very good and that’s why you win games,” Fennelly said. “Our kids are doing everything. We have six, seven starters on this team . And Nisleit is getting to that seven-and-a-half or eight spot.”

Late in the second half as Medders sat on the bench in foul trouble, with the Cyclones clinging to a slim lead, she never doubted her teammates.

“I was confident with Heather and Alison,” Medders said. “The three of us have a close relationship, and we spend a lot of time looking over plays, and talking and stuff.”

Lacey and Ezell led the Cyclones with 11 points each, and both played less than 30 minutes in the game.

Medders finished with eight points and Ronhovde nine.

The Cyclones will face off at 6 p.m. Saturday against either No. 2 seed Oklahoma – the defending Big 12 champs – or No. 3 Baylor, depending on who won Thursday night’s contest.

The results of the game were not available at press time.

As the Cyclones relish in their victory, the thought of a conference crown looms over their heads, if there’s anything left in the tank, ready or not.

“What do I have left for Saturday? I played 28 minutes tonight, and I’m 21 years old,” Medders said.

“At this point in the season, it’s about adrenaline. It’s about knowing that I have however many games left and I’m playing in maybe the biggest game of my career.

“So I’ll have everything in the tank and I’m excited about it, and I’ll be fine.”

Strike that – they’re ready.