Despite evenly distributed scoring among the six Cyclones that played, Iowa State fell victim to Texas A&M’s aggressive defense with 20 turnovers to fall 64-53 in College Station Sunday afternoon. The win was Texas A&M’s second in the 13-game series and handed Iowa State its third consecutive loss.

Both teams struggled offensively in the first half, with Texas A&M hitting 30.8 percent from the field and Iowa State sinking just 27.6 percent of its shots. Of the Cyclones eight field goals, five were 3-pointers, including two from freshman Heather Ezell off the bench.

Texas A&M (21-7, 10-5) led most of the way, but Iowa State (15-11, 6-9 Big 12) used solid defense and rebounding to take the lead for a three-minute stretch midway through the first half. The Cyclones knotted the score (23-23) at 3:49 with an 8-0 run. Four ISU turnovers over the final minutes allowed the Aggies a 27-25 lead at the break.

Brittany Wilkins scored Iowa State’s first three baskets to start the second half, but Texas A&M got 10 points from Danielle Gant in the first seven minutes, including eight points during a 15-0 Aggie run to extend its lead.

The Aggies’ top-ranked defense kicked in, forcing costly ISU turnovers. A&M’s offense responded, as well, finishing with 21 points off Cyclone turnovers and 20 second-chance points. Texas A&M shot 45.7 percent from the floor in the second stanza.

Iowa State got 10 of its final 12 points from the free-throw line, and pulled within nine (62-53) with 1:31 left. Wilkins and Lisa Bildeaux led Iowa State with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Texas A&M got a game-high 18 points from A’Quonesia Franklin.

Iowa State returns home for its regular-season finale, playing host to Colorado 7 p.m. Thursday.

– ISU media relations