“A year can make a huge difference, and it shows,” a relieved Angie Welle said. Last year, the ISU women’s basketball team dismantled the Missouri Tigers 101-66. The women dropped a team record 18 three pointers.This year, the No. 7 Cyclones barely escaped with a one-point victory, 68-67.The Tigers showed that they had grown as a team, withstanding a 17-0 run by Iowa State and coming back from a double-digit deficit late in the game.”This game was eerily like Oklahoma,” said ISU head coach Bill Fennelly. Against the Sooners, the Cyclones gave up a late run and had to win the game on a last-second shot.Missouri was led by Amanda Lassiter, who scored 21 points.It was the points that she did not score that ended up being the difference in the game.With less than 30 seconds to go, and the Cyclones clinging to a one-point lead, Lassiter hoisted a three pointer from the corner right in front of the Missouri bench.The ball went over the rim and into the hands of Iowa State. Welle drew the foul and went to the other end of the hardwood to shoot her free throws.Welle hit the first, giving Iowa State a two-point lead, but her second freebie bounced off the iron.After a scramble, the loose ball went out of bounds off a Missouri player. ISU senior Megan Taylor threw her fist in the air, knowing the Cyclones still had the ball.After junior Tracy Gahan made one of her two free throws, the Cyclones had a three-point lead. Missouri missed a three and put in the rebound, resulting in the final 68-67 score.With two seconds left, Gahan threw a full-court pass to Taylor and as the ball was tipped, the clock ticked to zero.Welle and sophomore point guard Lindsey Wilson led the way for the Cyclones. Welle had 18 points and a career-high 20 rebounds. Wilson matched her career-high with 21 points.”I thought [Welle] had a good game,” said Missouri coach Cindy Stein. “but I’ve seen her play better; that’s kind of scary.”Taylor finished the game with 12 points on 3-17 shooting. It was four straight from the foul line that were her biggest.After Missouri senior Pep Williams fouled out, she slammed the ball on the court and received a technical foul.Taylor shot two free throws for the “T” and two more on the foul. She sank all four putting Iowa State ahead by five.”That was huge,” Wilson said.Fennelly said despite Taylor’s poor shooting performance, she was the one who would take the foul shots. “I don’t care if she’s three for 100,” Fennelly said, “Fifty-one [Taylor] is gonna get the ball.”The Cyclones next action will be on the road against N.C. State as part of the ACC/Big 12 Challenge Saturday.

Click to view highlights from the ISU women’s victory over Kansas