The story couldn’t have been scripted any better, and the ISU women’s basketball team gave its three departing seniors the best gift it possibly could – a win.

Tuesday’s 64-53 win over Nebraska saw seniors Lyndsey Medders, Megan Ronhovde and Abby Reinert play their final regular season game in Hilton Coliseum. It made sense, then, that Iowa State’s two leading scorers were Ronhovde and Medders.

Tuesday’s win signified more than a likely berth in the NCAA Tournament; it was a fitting way for three Cyclone seniors to leave a program they helped build into a nationally recognized women’s basketball program.

And it was a night like no other.

“It was more emotional than any [senior night] I’ve been apart of,” said ISU coach Bill Fennelly. “The game and what was on the line for our team was greater than in the past. The seniors impacted the game more than seniors in the past. It was harder on our coaches, it was harder on me, and harder on the kids.”

In a teary farewell after the game, the three Cyclone seniors spoke to an announced crowd of 9,904 in Hilton Coliseum.

Reinert, who earned a scholarship as a senior after walking on in 2003, has been a Cyclone fan since her grandparents took her to games as a child, and recalled fond memories of her times in Hilton, both as a fan and a player.

“I’ve always been a dreamer, and the best thing you can give a dreamer is an opportunity,” Reinert said. “Thank you for the opportunity to pursue one of my dreams.”

Ronhovde has accumulated quite a list of accomplishments at Iowa State throughout her tenure as a Cyclone. In addition to becoming Iowa State’s 18th 1,000-point career scorer this season, she ranks third all-time in 3-pointers with 226 and seventh in rebounds with 660.

“It’s hard to believe our time here at Hilton is over, but with anything in life, the end of something means a new beginning,” Ronhovde said.

And then there’s Medders, often credited as being the face of ISU basketball.

Her contributions have been recognized both on and off the court, and it was a fitting ending for Medders – who holds the ISU career assist record with 666 – as she ended her career in Hilton Coliseum with a picturesque pass to Nicky Wieben, who converted a layup to secure the victory.

“We shared a sisterhood that can’t and never will be broken,” Medders told her teammates. “I thank you all, past and present, for challenging me, supporting me and more importantly, laughing at my jokes that weren’t all that funny.”

Medders ranks in the top-10 all-time in ISU scoring with 1,330 points.

Medders, from Los Angeles, and Ronhovde, a Midwesterner, have always shared a special bond on the court.

Tuesday night was no exception.

“I wanted the ball in my hands, and [Ronhovde] wanted the ball in her hands,” Medders said. “It’s kind of the epitome of how we play together . I knew where she was and she knew where I was.”

And yet, it’s not over. The Cyclones still have two regular season games left before heading to Oklahoma City for the Big 12 Tournament.

After savoring a meaningful win Tuesday, the Cyclones, seniors included, begin preparing for Saturday’s road test against Kansas State.

“Us playing at Hilton is over with . but our legacy and our career and what we still want to accomplish is by no means close to being done with,” Medders said.

And at least on Tuesday, the stars seemed to be aligned above Ames.

“It was so neat our seniors could play that well,” Fennelly said. “It’s one thing to win the game, and it’s another for Lyndsey and Megan to play great.”