KANSAS CITY, MO. – Megan Taylor.

It may be easier to say what she didn’t do in this game than what she did as Iowa State won the Big 12 Tournament for the second straight year, 68-65 over the Oklahoma Sooners.

“Literally we just hopped on her back, I think, this whole game,” ISU center and tournament MVP Angie Welle said.

Taylor scored a Big 12 Championship game record 28 points and pulled down seven boards to lead Iowa State. She was also named to the all-tournament team.

“On the first shot it felt really good,” Taylor said. “I think that helped a lot that that one went in.”

Taylor also became the all-time leading scorer in the history of Iowa State surpassing Jayme Olson’s 1,799 points. Taylor now has 1,818.

“It feels good [to have the record] but it feels so much better to win,” Taylor said.

Taylor knocked in four first half three-pointers and hit six of 13 for the game.

“My shot just felt really good tonight, I don’t know what it was.”

The Cyclones were the only team to beat the Sooners during the Big 12 regular season, as Oklahoma ran off a string of 17 wins in row after Iowa State defeated Oklahoma 81-79 in Norman, Okla. on Jan. 6.

“It obviously feels good to beat a champion and become a champion at the same time,” ISU guard Erica Haugen said. Haugen finished with 11 points for Iowa State.

Iowa State never trailed in the second half, but had to put up with some ferocious runs by the Sooners to hang on to the game.

The Cyclones were up 65-53 as Taylor hit a three with 4:50 left in the game.

Big 12 Player of the Year Stacey Dales led the Sooners back as she drove the lane, making the basket and getting fouled. That three-point play keyed a 10-0 run by the Big 12 regular season champs.

When the Sooners closed to within two, junior forward Tracy Gahan came up with a steal leading, a fast break with her and ISU point guard Lindsey Wilson. Gahan gave the ball to Wilson who drove the lane and dished it back to Gahan who put in an easy two with an Oklahoma defender looking on.

Gahan finished with seven points but led Iowa State in rebounds with 12.

Oklahoma’s Jami Talbert hit a basket with just over a minute to go, pulling Oklahoma to within two, 67-65, setting up the most exciting finish in Big 12 Championship game history as no other game has been within 10 points.

Wilson missed a jumper, but Welle secured the rebound. After a timeout the Cyclones got the ball to Wilson who was fouled. After missing the front end of a one-and-one the Sooners LaNeishea Caufield grabbed the loose ball with 25 seconds left.

Oklahoma came down but coughed up the ball, a scramble ensued as the floor was littered with red and white jersey’s, both teams grabbing for possesion.

After a jump ball was called the Sooners retained the ball. The inbounds play went to Dales but was tipped by Taylor. The ball brushed off Dales’ leg and rolled out-of-bounds as the Sooner bench looked on helplessly with five tics left.

Welle was fouled and made one of two free throws.

Oklahoma’s final chance came on a three-pointer by Sunny Hardeman, the ball bounced off the rim as time ran out and the Cyclones stormed the floor in celebration.

“We practice these situations in practice,” Haugen said. “It turned out the way it does in practice [against Oklahoma].”

Wilson was happy with Iowa State’s play throughout the tournament which included wins over three NCAA caliber teams in Baylor, Texas Tech and Oklahoma.

“We had three awesome games against three quality opponents,” she said. “And the repeat is just awesome.”

Wilson scored nine points for Iowa State and dished out five assists.

“It just shows we can match up with anybody,” Wilson said, “the Big 12 is getting tougher and tougher, but we’re staying on the top.”

The Cyclones came to play in the first half as they showed their championship experience as they have played in the last three Big 12 Championship games. The Cyclones went into the locker room at halftime with a 28-23 lead.

Taylor led the way in the first half as the Cyclones led throughout. She scored 14 including four three-pointers and helped Iowa State to pull ahead by as many as 12.

Oklahoma battled back behind the shooting of reserve Rosalind Ross who poured in six, including two threes.

Dales showed some butterflies in the first half, going 2-7 and air-balling three shots in the first eight minutes.

The Cyclones were on a roll until Welle picked up her second foul with 6:09 remaining. Iowa State used reserve Gintar‚ Cipinyt‚ to fill Welle’s spot. Other times Fennelly sent out a small lineup of guards and forwards including Haugen, Taylor, Gahan, Wilson and freshman Erica Junod.

Joining Taylor and Welle on the all-tournament team was Wilson and two Oklahoma players, Ross and Dales.