The Iowa State women’s basketball team posted another impressive exhibition victory on Wednesday, hammering Shelen of Russia, 103-55.

Led by Megan Taylor’s 21 points, the Cyclones posted a triple-digit victory for the second game in a row, outscoring Shelen and Iowa’s Team with a combined 208-99.

“I guess everybody’s going to ask how we’ll react in a close game, and I wish I had the answer,” Head Coach Bill Fennelly said. “I wish they could have been a little more competitive, but we got to try some new things we wanted to try.”

“Especially in the second half, we did everything well,” Taylor said. “[Shelen was] tired because it was their eighth game in a row.”

ISU never trailed the touring club from Krasnoyarsk, Russia, but started slowly, maintaining single-digit leads for most of the first half. Before the final buzzer, though, every Cyclone on the roster would manage at least a single basket.

Taylor and Stacy Frese handled most of the early scoring for ISU, turning in 13 and nine first-half points, respectively. During a 28-11 Cyclone run, 10 of Taylor’s first-half points came over the final 10 minutes of the game.

Taylor, center Angie Welle and flashy sixth-man Desiree Francis each had five first-half rebounds to lead all players as the Cyclones took a 47-24 lead into the locker room.

“With Des, something’s always going to happen,” Fennelly said. “It’s just the case that we hope it’s more good than bad.”

The Russians, led by 31-year-old point guard Elena Chouijenko, were outmatched in nearly every facet of the game.

They rebounded well at times, but it required an aggressive style that put them in early foul trouble in both halves. The Cyclones stepped to the line to shoot bonus free throws with 12 minutes remaining in the first half and 11:24 remaining in the second.

ISU came out of the break on fire, scoring 26 of the first 28 second half points and holding the Russians to a pair of free throws for the first 9:37.

The run was highlighted by an athletic steal near center court by Frese. After picking Chouijenko’s pocket and running the length of the court, Frese was fouled as she hit a sprinting lay-up. Her free throw made the Cyclone lead 64-26.

It was around this point that Fennelly cleared his bench.

Taylor and Frese were in their warm-ups by the 10-minute mark. Taylor finished with seven rebounds in addition to her 21 points. Frese had 14 points, four steals and seven assists without a turnover.

The Russians came alive against the Cyclone bench, staying even over the final 10 minutes of play.

Seventeen-year-old Marina Khasova led Shelen with 14 points, three ahead of Chouijenko and Tatiana Silina. Tatiana Erchova’s eight rebounds were a team-high.

The Cyclone starters, Taylor, Frese, Welle, Monica Huelman and Tracy Gahan, none of whom played more than 26 minutes, all turned in solid performances.

Welle led all players with 10 rebounds to go with 14 points and Gahan came alive in the second half to end with 10 points and four boards.

“Angie’s playing really well,” Fennelly said after the game. “She’s a big strong kid, she knows how to get the basket and she has an offensive mindset.

“Tracy may be struggling with her shot, but she really has a textbook jumper,” he said. “She’s just a little too tentative right now.”

Huelman was second on the team in rebounds with eight and managed eight points.

Francis finished the game with 15 points and seven rebounds, despite playing only 15 minutes. The junior college transfer said the veterans on the team have helped her pick up her game in the early going this season.

“I may not be a freshman,” Francis said, “but there are still some things I can use help on.”

Fennelly has been impressed with the effort of his entire team so far, including many of his young players.

“I think the young kids are playing hard and are going to give us some positive minutes,” Fennelly said.

The Cyclones hit the hardwood again on Saturday in their first official game of the year. They play host to Southwest Texas State at Hilton Coliseum.