The Iowa State women’s basketball team managed to find the perfect way to kick off postseason play by demolishing Oklahoma State 93-59 in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament.

The Cyclones used a balanced scoring attack that was led by Desir‚e Francis, who is playing with a broken left hand.

The senior forward poured in 18 points in just 11 minutes of action. She was 6-7 from the field, and even made 4-5 three-point shots.

“She was amazing. I think the crowd going nuts when she first went out there, that really helped. Then she made her first shot and got this big grin on her face. I was really happy for her,” ISU Coach Bill Fennelly said.

The Cyclones dominated this one from the start, never trailing in the game. With the game still relatively close at 19-10, the Cyclones went on a 19-0 run that lasted 5:20 in the middle portion of the first half.

Iowa State scored 15 of the 19 points in the run off with three-pointers, including two by Francis.

While the offense was bombing three-pointers, the defense was doing its part as well.

The obviously worn-out Cowgirls, playing their second game in as many days, made only 3 of their first 32 shots, and ended up 5-38 in the first half, good for 13 percent.

Iowa State took a commanding 43-14 lead into the half.

“I think they were a little worn out from their previous game (a win against Kansas State Tuesday) and I’m sure it didn’t help when we were hitting everything,” Stacy Frese said.

The second half was more of the same, with the Cyclones nailing six three-pointers to increase their total to 14 for the game, a Big 12 Tournament record.

The Cyclone starters exited with 12 minutes left in the game with the score 65-23.

No ISU player had more than 25 minutes, and center Angie Welle played only 15.

“That’s a big factor. We got to play a lot of people and really got to rest our starters quite a bit. Tomorrow is going to be a physical game, and also an emotional game, and we’re going to need to be at full strength,” Fennelly said.

“I don’t think we could be any more rested than we are right now. We just want to win tomorrow, then go shopping or whatever Friday, and come back and play for the championship on Sunday,” Frese said.

Lindsey Wilson was once again impressive, scoring 15 points and getting four assists against the Cowgirls.

Other players in double figures included Megan Taylor, who scored 14, and Frese, who ended with 10 points.

Iowa State held Jennifer Crow, the Cowgirls leading scorer at 20.7 points per game, to three points in the first half.

However, Crow used three three-pointers in the last two minutes to help her to her final total of 20 points.

The Cyclones will next face Nebraska, who upset Kansas after Iowa State advanced.

Iowa State beat Nebraska twice this season, running away from the Cornhuskers 89-66 in Ames, while edging Nebraska 77-76 in Lincoln.

Francis scored 16.5 points per game in the series, while Frese averaged 18 per contest.

“I was really proud of them,” Fennelly said. “Overall, it couldn’t have gone much better.”