When Lyndsey Medders concentrated on scoring instead of highlights, the freshman delivered the Cyclones to the Women’s National Invitational Tournament final four Thursday night.

Medders scored a game-high 19 points as the ISU women’s basketball team defeated St. Joseph’s 66-58 in a quarterfinal game in front of the first sellout women’s basketball crowd at Hilton Coliseum.

“I guess the only adjustment I made was jump-stopping instead of trying to make some ESPN ‘SportsCenter’ play,” Medders said of two late driving baskets, the second of which gave Iowa State a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.

With the win, Iowa State (18-14) will host UNLV on Sunday at 2 p.m. in a semifinal game. Tickets will cost $10.

“There’s a lot of people around the country that have talked that the NIT isn’t a big deal,” ISU head coach Bill Fennelly said. “They need to say that to our players, coaches, the people that stood in line and bought tickets for this game. I told the kids before the game … make this 40 minutes something that you remember no matter what happens.”

With the game tied 53-53 in the second half, Medders made a driving basket with 4:08 to put the Cyclones up 55-53. St. Joseph’s answered right back on a 3-point basket by Irina Krasnoshiok to go up 56-55.

On Iowa State’s next possession, Medders once again drove to the basket and scored to put the Cyclones up by one. After a turnover and the final media timeout, Erica Junod found Mary Fox open in the left corner, and Fox drained her third 3-point shot of the game to make it 60-56.

The Cyclones hit six of eight free throws down the stretch.

Fox finished with 12 points, and Anne O’Neil added 11 points. Junod led the team with 10 rebounds.

Fox said the crowd helped the team throughout the game.

“Everyone can agree, it was unbelievable,” Fox said.

“I never played any game since my freshman year in front of a crowd like that. Obviously, the men are helping out with a doubleheader. It was phenomenal. I think they help through the end and beginning.”

Medders said Cyclones’ posts set her up perfectly for her two drives.

“Our post set great screens,” Medders said. “When you have great shooters on the perimeter, they’re going to open up a lane more.”

The Hawks’ biggest lead in the first half was six. Medders, who had four turnovers, had three of them in the first half as the Cyclones were outrebounded 22-17 in the first half.

Fennelly said the last seven minutes of the contest made a difference in the game.

“I thought the last seven minutes, we played very well,” Fennelly said. “Efficient with the ball, defended great, no silly mistakes, and we’re happy that we’re still playing.”

St. Joseph’s was led in scoring by Krasnoshiok with 13 points.

“You couldn’t asked for a better ball game,” St. Joseph’s coach Cindy Griffin said.

“You couldn’t ask for more hustle from both teams. Somebody had to end their season today, and it’s just a shame ’cause these two teams are very, very talented and desired to go on. Iowa State did a great job today.”

O’Neil said when the Cyclones went up by four late in the second half, the crowd’s atmosphere lifted the team.

“We get into the game and throw our hands up,” O’Neil said. “It was a phenomenal atmosphere. That’s why we all wanted to come into this program was to play in front of such loyal fans and being able to play in a environment like Hilton Coliseum. Coming out and being able to put on a performance for them — that’s why we practice all the time.”