ISU center Angie Welle played 37 minutes in the Cyclones’ 74-71 victory over Creighton Wednesday.

It was the second time she had played that much in three games after having done it once before, last February against Kansas.

ISU head coach Bill Fennelly would like for her to get more rest, but so far this year, back-up centers Gintare Cipinyte and Kate Bauman haven’t been much help.

“Physically [Welle] can handle it; she’s in phenomenal shape,” Fennelly said. “But you don’t worry about one game, you worry about the whole season and how those minutes build up. We gotta get some help for her.”

Cipinyte has seen only seven minutes of action while Bauman has had slightly more at 15.

The two have combined to score only four points for the year.

“They’re trying,” Fennelly said, “but right now you gotta play your best players. You play the players that you think give you the best chance to win, and right now that’s what we’re doing.”

Fennelly also said it is always important to be ready when “your number is called” because “I keep tellin’ them they’re one sprained ankle away from playing a lot of minutes.”

Fennelly explained that DePaul, the Cyclones’ opponent Saturday, is “bigger and stronger” than Creighton. Fennelly said Bauman and Cipinyte can expect to see action.

Neither of the two stepped on the court against Creighton, but Fennelly said it was because of the type of team the Bluejays were.

“We didn’t use [Cipinyte or Bauman] in the Creighton game mainly because [Creighton] was smaller and quicker,” Fennelly explained. “We needed ball-handling, and that style of play didn’t fit their game.”

Welle takes the challenge of playing a lot of minutes in stride.

“We’re conditioned enough that I think I am able to go that long,” Welle said. “It’s nice to get breaks sometimes, but I love to be out there and play.”

One of the biggest concerns with keeping Welle on the floor is foul trouble.

So far this season Welle has been able to stay out of foul trouble, but Fennelly said she may give up a little defense in order to keep from fouling.

“I don’t think there is any doubt that we’re probably playing a little too cautiously,” Fennelly said, “because we don’t want her to foul.”

But Fennelly added that he doesn’t expect that style of defense to change much.

“In the big picture, we need [Welle] in the game,” Fennelly said. “If we have to give up a basket or two, or if we have to sacrifice a little pressure defense or a blocked shot to keep her in the game, I think we have to do that.”

Welle has been very valuable to the Cyclones this year, averaging a double-double in all three games. She is good for 18 points per contest and grabs 12.7 boards a game.

Against Creighton she scored the final four points for Iowa State, giving them the lead with a layup. She also gave the Cyclones their final three-point advantage with two clutch free-throws in the last five seconds.

Against DePaul Welle hopes to play “quite a bit.” DePaul is a bigger and more physical team, especially in the post, so the Cyclones may find out how well they play when Welle gets into foul trouble.

“They have very athletic post players; that’s the biggest thing,” Welle said.

The Cyclone women will take on DePaul Saturday afternoon at 3:30 in the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, taking part in the Blimpie’s Blast.