As the Cyclones battle through the Big 12 conference schedule, the ISU women’s basketball team has enjoyed added depth in transfer Katie Robinette.

Robinette transferred from Nebraska, sat out the 2002-03 season and gained eligibility last fall.

In her first four games this season, she averaged 4.3 points and played 10 minutes a game.

“She hasn’t played a competitive game in 18 months, but she has been a great boost to our team,” head coach Bill Fennelly said during the Big 12 teleconference Tuesday.

Against Texas Tech and Texas, the redshirt junior averaged 13 points per game. The two teams are tied at No. 3 by the Associated Press.

Fennelly said Robinette was the key factor in the Cyclones’ 64-63 win over Texas Tech last Wednesday.

“She has done a great job. Her conditioning steadily continues to get better, and she has been learning more and more about the system we have,” Fennelly said.

In the 2001-02 season, Big 12 coaches voted Robinette preseason Big 12 freshman of the year at Nebraska.

Fennelly said Robinette is a “bona fide scorer” who helps grab rebounds down in the post. In the Cyclones’ last two games, she has averaged 13 points and five rebounds per game.

Fennelly said Robinette will carry more energy as the year progresses, especially when the Cyclones begin to wear down later in the season.

“Most of us get tired and banged up,” Fennelly said. “But Katie is just getting started.”

Along with Robinette, Fennelly believes the fans at Hilton Coliseum lift the Cyclones during big home games and their record shows it — Iowa State is a dismal 1-4 on the road.

“Our fans are really smart,” Fennelly said. “They don’t cheer just to cheer, they understand the game and know when we need some help.”