MANHATTAN, Kan. – The ISU women’s basketball team traveled to the “Little Apple” on Saturday attempting to do something they hadn’t done all season – win a conference road game.

Saturday’s game looked as if it would see the Cyclones (21-7, 9-6 Big 12) head away from another road trip with a loss, but with time winding down, ISU senior Megan Ronhovde stepped up big for the Cyclones, burying a three-pointer with 27 seconds left to give the Cyclones their first lead of the game, and ultimately, the win.

Down by one point with 12 seconds left, Kansas State’s Claire Cloggins looked inside and passed the ball to Shalee Lehning, but all she found was Iowa State’s Toccara Ross for the steal. The Wildcats were forced to foul, and Lyndsey Medders made both free throws to seal the 64-61 win.

The start of the game was sloppy, and it seemed like turnovers were going to be Iowa State’s downfall as they turned the ball over five times within the first four minutes. The Wildcats took advantage of the poor play, scoring nine points off the turnovers.

The second half started slow for both teams with the Wildcats missing six of their first seven shots of the half and the Cyclones going scoreless for seven minutes.

“That was the only time I was sitting on the bench going ‘man this is our chance and we’re letting it slip away,'” said coach Bill Fennelly.

This didn’t deter the Cyclones as they were able to put together an impressive comeback, scoring 20 points in the last 11 minutes of the game to take the lead.

“We have the confidence where we keep battling, keep battling, just play every possession out to the bitter end,” Ronhovde said. “I think today’s game was an example of that: We’re down the entire game, come back and put ourselves in a position to win.”

Just four days after Senior Night, seniors Medders and Ronhovde combined for 28 points. Ronhovde scored 12 of those 28, all of which were three pointers.

On the other end of the court, Kansas State’s Ashley Sweat had 25 points on the night, shooting 55 percent. Kansas State was also helped out by Lehning, who posted a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

“We made a couple defensive adjustments in the last minute and a half and the kids adjusted well,” Fennelly said.

With the win, Iowa State secured fifth place in the Big 12, and moved into fourth place after Nebraska (21-8, 9-6) lost its third consecutive game Saturday to Oklahoma State.

Fourth place in the Big 12 receives a first-round bye in the Big 12 tournament next week.

Iowa State can secure fourth place with a win on the road against Texas Tech on Thursday, and a home loss by Nebraska to Colorado on Tuesday. Nebraska locks up fourth place with a win and a Cyclone loss. If both teams lose, or both teams win, fourth place will be determined by a complicated tiebreak procedure.