The ISU women’s basketball team will need to carry the momentum of its current three-game winning streak into Wednesday’s game against No. 9 Kansas State in Manhattan, Kan.

Iowa State (13-11, 6-7 Big 12) has shot 42 percent from the 3-point line in its last three games, compared to 35 percent on the season.

“The 3-point shot is like the dunk in a men’s basketball game,” ISU head coach Bill Fennelly said. “Even officials get excited and throw their hands up.”

The surge in shooting percentage helped carry the Cyclones in their last three victories, Fennelly said.

“Our kids start to get on a streak and it just catches on,” Fennelly said.

A recent surprise in the Cyclone lineup has been the play of freshman guard Megan Ronhovde, who was named Big 12 Rookie of the Week. Ronhovde averaged 11.5 points, grabbed 8.5 rebounds and shot 46.7 percent from downtown in the last two games.

“Megan’s had a phenomenal freshman year,” Fennelly said. “She’s hit some big shots at critical times the past few games.”

In high school, Ronhovde played primarily inside at the post position. Upon her arrival at Iowa State, she has been asked to contribute to the team by playing on the perimeter.

“She shot very few 3-point shots in high school,” Fennelly said. “I think she shot more threes in the first couple of weeks in practice than maybe all of her life.”

Kansas State (21-3, 12-1) remained on top of the Big 12 Conference by beating Missouri 93-90 in double overtime Sunday. Wildcat forward Kendra Wecker tallied 26 points and center Nicole Ohlde added 23 points.

Kansas State head coach Deb Patterson said it was satisfying to walk off the court with the narrow victory over the Tigers.

“This league is filled with so many critical games,” Patterson said during Tuesday’s Big 12 teleconference. “It’s just amazing, it seems that around this time in February everything intensifies.”

Anne O’Neil is the only Cyclone averaging double digits at 13.3 points per game. The Wildcats have three players — Ohlde, Wecker and forward Laurie Koehn — averaging 17.2, 16.6 and 14.1 points, respectively.

Patterson said Iowa State is playing with greater balance and confidence than it was earlier in the season.

“They’re gaining confidence because the players play in a system all year with great coaches,” Patterson said. “They have much more balance inside and outside because of that.”

Fennelly said Iowa State’s “mentality is excellent” and the time is now for the Cyclones.

“It’s very difficult to play at Kansas State, a top 10 team, and then go to Missouri to play during seniors’ night,” Fennelly said. “But I’m proud [of] the way this team has conducted themselves in the last three games.”