If the Cyclone women’s basketball team were supposed to live and die this year by the three pointer, they shouldn’t have survived Saturday’s contest with rival Iowa.

After the first 20 minutes, Stacy Frese had just four points and the team was shooting a miserable 0-for-8 from long range.

Oh yeah, and they were also leading the Hawkeyes, 35-29.

“They did a good job of guarding us on the perimeter and taking away that aspect of our game,” head coach Bill Fennelly said. “They had a very good plan, but it opened the game up inside for Angie Welle.”

Welle managed 10 points in the first half on her way to a game-high 21. Despite 3-for-15 shooting from three-point range, the Cyclones were still able to dominate their rivals, 79-69, thanks largely to the 6-4 sophomore from Fargo, N.D.

“When you get an opportunity to go one-on-one in the post, you have to take advantage of it,” Welle said after the game.

She had plenty of such opportunities on the afternoon, dominating undersized Hawkeye post players Jerica Watson and Randi Peterson.

In addition to her offensive contributions, Welle also managed a game-high 11 rebounds and played, in the words of her coach, “the best defense she’s played all year.”

The Cyclones relied on 10-0 and 12-0 second half runs to extend their lead and effectively knock the Hawks out of the contest. Strong inside play and transition baskets seemed to be the difference in the game.

Welle didn’t have to do it all by herself, however. Frese emerged in the second half to score a total of 19 points in the game, including three second-half treys.

Megan Taylor also chipped in 11 points and seven rebounds and Desiree Francis contributed 10 boards.

Almost as pivotal to the game as the performance of any one player was the record crowd in attendance at Hilton Coliseum.

A total of 13,271 screaming Cyclone fans showed up to cheer their team to victory, and cheer they did.

“So many people have been a part of making this happen,” Fennelly said. “It’s an amazing feeling. It was a very proud moment for all of us.”

The combination of Welle’s strong play, a strong rebound from the Drake loss and an amazing crowd proved the difference.

“Playing at home was a huge advantage,” Welle said. “I think we also just refocused after the Drake game. I felt kind of bad for Iowa. They got us at a bad time.”

Fennelly summed up the feelings of Cyclone fans everywhere after a thrilling year of dominating Iowa.

“It’s always fun to beat the Hawks.”