It’s now or never.

The ISU women’s basketball team hits the road for the first of two straight road games Wednesday, hoping to – finally – click as a team.

Its opponent, Missouri, can clinch second place in the Big 12 with a win.

Iowa State’s guards have struggled the past few games, while its post players have chipped in strong performances. Against Kansas on Saturday, Lyndsey Medders, Heather Ezell and Megan Ronhovde combined for just 14 points.

That has to change for the Cyclones (15-9, 6-7 Big 12) to be competitive.

“I think a lot of it is just regaining some confidence,” Medders said. “We’re not making shots. In my opinion, it’s pathetic as a Division 1 basketball player.”

Inside has been a different story.

Brittany Wilkins, Nicky Wieben and Lisa Bildeaux combined for 42 points Saturday.

Imagine if both positions clicked at the same time.

“We have to have all of our pieces play well,” said ISU coach Bill Fennelly. “I think we can play at a very competitive level.”

The recent struggle of the Cyclones guards is being addressed, but Medders said it’s important for them not to panic. Ezell and Ronhovde have scored five and four points, respectively, in the past two games.

“You have to know that you’re a basketball player, you’re at a Division 1 level and you have to find a way to get it done,” Medders said. “The good thing about those two is they try and impact the game in a positive way.”

“It may not be in the scoring column, but they have to keep impacting as best as they can.”

Ezell, just a freshman, still averages over 10 points per game, but her recent numbers have been, no doubt, frustrating. It’s also something that happens to virtually every freshman in a league as competitive as the Big 12.

“Both Megan [Ronhovde] and I hit our freshman slumps, so we kind of know what Ezell is going through right now,” Medders said. “We just remind her she’s not alone out there, and go from there.”

With three games left on its schedule, Iowa State is quickly finding itself in a do-or-die situation.

“I expect a lot,” Wilkins said. “[The Kansas game] didn’t determine our season. We’re not going to give up.”

Missouri has only lost once at home this season, an 88-73 loss to Oklahoma. The Cyclones won this season’s first meeting with Missouri in Ames, 66-60. The Tigers have won three straight games since.

“They know what they’re doing,” Fennelly said. “They’re a mature team, and a team that won’t panic. I’m sure they’re going to play great on Wednesday. We’re going to have to play at a very high level to even compete with them.”

Although the Cyclones need to advance a few rounds in the Big 12 tournament, plus get a little help from teams around the league, some are surprised that they’re still in the NCAA tournament hunt.

“I’d be lying if I said I thought we had any kind of postseason hope at the beginning of the season,” Medders said. “To be saying that is good, but we also can’t be satisfied with where we’re at.”

Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday in Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo.