In their last exhibition tune-up before the regular season starts, the Cyclone women took it to the Division II Northwest Missouri State Bearcats Sunday afternoon, 74-43, and it wasn’t even that close.

The Cyclones jumped out to an early 8-0 lead, thanks in large part to their swarming team defense.

“We experimented with the press a little bit in that first half, and that helped us create some turnovers,” said ISU head coach Bill Fennelly, whose squad wrapped up their exhibition season with a 2-0 record.

The Cyclones also out-rebounded the Bearcats, 57-30.

While Iowa State was busy forcing turnovers, the Cyclones were also giving their fair share away, committing 24 — a statistic that Fennelly said needs to improve. “We can’t turn the ball over like we did tonight, especially when we have those tough games at the beginning of the season coming up,” he said.

Those tough games Fennelly is referring to includes three out of the first four games of the season against in-state rivals Drake, UNI and Iowa.

Despite being bitten by the turnover bug, Iowa State was able to use its size and athleticism to build a 44-20 halftime lead, thanks in large part to the sharp shooting of junior guard Erica Junod.

Junod tallied 11 of her team-high 13 points in the first half, and connected on 3 of 3 from 3-point land. Junod, who also finished with five assists and four rebounds, said as long as the shots are falling, she’ll keep shooting.

“I’m playing with a lot of confidence, my shot feels good, so I’m hoping that I can keep it up throughout the season,” she said.

Fennelly said that he’s confident that Junod will have a big year for the squad.

“[Erica] is one of our best all-around athletes, and probably our best on-the-ball defender,” Fennelly said. “She’s had a great overall fall, and her hard work is paying off. She’s never really been fully healthy here, so we’re looking forward to letting everyone see what she can do.”

With Junod finally healthy, and Player of the Year candidate Lindsey Wilson back, the Cyclone women could have one of the best backcourts in the Big 12.

“We feed off each other,” said Junod of herself and Wilson. “One of us can drive, and kick it out to the other one for the open three, or we each take it to the hole to make things happen. It’s exciting.”

Wilson struggled with her shots against Northwest Missouri State, but still ended up with eight points, six assists and five boards, while playing a team-high 25 minutes.

The duo of sophomore center Lisa Kriener and freshman center Brittany Wilkins also stepped up big for the Cyclones, adding 10 points and six rebounds and 11 points and eight boards, respectively. Wilkins added 2 blocked shots as well.

The Bearcats’ Laura Friedrich came off the bench to lead all scorers with 17 points.

Iowa State opens its regular season on Sunday, Nov. 24, against Saint Francis (Pa.), with tip-off at 2 p.m.