Poor shooting from three doomed No. 20 Iowa State in a 73-60 loss to Baylor, with the Cyclones trailing by as many as 21 points. Despite poor shooting, No. 20 Iowa State was able to bring the Baylor lead to within single digits in the fourth quarter.

The Lady Bears had stout interior defense, which kept the Cyclones from scoring in the paint and forced the Cyclones to rely on the three ball to supplement their scoring. Nearly half of all Iowa State shots came from three-point range.

Iowa State shot 31.7 percent from the floor (19-60 shooting) and 18.5 percent from three (5-27 shooting) while scoring 20 points in the paint. In contrast, Baylor scored 34 points in the paint and only had eight three point attempts.

Only two Iowa State players were in double figures with Bridget Carleton and Alexa Middleton. Carleton totaled 28 points, eight rebounds and an assist while Middleton had 14 points, five assists and three rebounds.

Carleton’s 28 points led all players.

Baylor is the topped ranked team in the country with an overall record of 24-1. The Lady Bears are undefeated in Big 12 play, and their only loss came from the hands of Stanford 68-63. Stanford is currently ranked No. 7 in the AP Top 25.

Earlier in the season, Baylor beat down the Cyclones 84-69. The 15 point loss is Iowa State’s worst loss of the year.

After the first quarter, the Cyclones found themselves behind 23-12 after beginning the game 0-6 from the three point line.

Baylor scored 12 of their 23 first-quarter points in the paint behind an efficient 62.5 percent shooting percentage.

In the second quarter, the Lady Bears built upon their lead, pushing it to 44-28.

Dipping slightly, Baylor’s shooting percentage “fell” to 50 percent in the second quarter.

Meanwhile, the Cyclones’ shooting struggles continued as Iowa State went 0-5 from three in the second. Overall, the team shot 32.3 percent from the floor in the first half and 15.4 percent from three.

Iowa State still trailed at the conclusion of the third quarter 63-45.  Iowa State shot 25 percent from the floor in the quarter.

When Iowa State was able to cut the Baylor lead to single digits in the fourth quarter, it wasn’t because of a Cyclone scoring outburst, but rather a poor shooting quarter by the Lady Bears where they shot 25 percent from the floor.

Next on the the schedule for Iowa State is a road trip to Texas Tech.