The Iowa State Cyclones (11-6, 3-3 Big 12) women’s basketball team has completely dominated the series against the Kansas Jayhawks (12-5, 1-5 Big 12) in recent memory. They have won the last nine meetings between the two.

Now, Iowa State hosts the Kansas at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Hilton Coliseum.

Iowa State is coming off arguably its two of its biggest wins of the season, a 64-63 come from behind victory on the road against the Oklahoma State Cowgirls (12-6, 3-3 Big 12) and a 73-59 victory over the Kansas State Wildcats (7-9, 1-4 Big 12).

It should be noted that the Cyclones are in the middle of its busy part of conference play.

“The challenge for us it to rest up,” Iowa State head coach Bill Fennelly said. “We’re in the middle of a four-game stretch in ten days.”

The Cyclones last two games were important gritty wins. Against the Cowgirls, the Cyclones erased an 11 point second-half deficit to win.

Against the Wildcats, the Cyclones held off a comeback bid by the Wildcats when the Wildcats cut their deficit to four after trailing by 11 at halftime, but lost by 14 points to the Cyclones.

“I’m proud of the way they’ve approached it (closing out games), a lot of it is that we’ve practiced really well,” Fennelly said. “Our seniors, especially AD (Adriana Camber) has done the things that an Iowa State senior should do and we’re starting to get their attention in the sense of needing to be ready when it’s your turn and your time.”

One of the main reasons why Iowa State defeated Kansas State on Wednesday is because it limited its turnovers. Iowa State is committing 17 turnovers per game but only committed 13. 

While it did a good job of controlling the ball on Wednesday, Iowa State has struggled with turnovers. 

Iowa State is last in the Big 12 in turnover margin at -3.59, which puts them 

Kansas’ defense has struggled as of late, it has allowed its opponents to score more 73 points in its last three out of four.

Expect sophomore forward Ashley Joens to lead the way for Iowa State offensively, she is first in the Big 12 and fourth in the NCAA in points per game with 23. Joens has also recorded a double-double in the last three games.

While Iowa State has one of the best scorers in the nation on its side, Kansas does not have an Ashley Joens type player that consistently can put a team on her back and carry the scoring load.

It has six players that five players that average double figures, led by sophomore guard Aniya Thomas, who averages 12.4 points per game.

As a team, the Jayhawks averaged 71.2 points per game, which is sixth out of ten in the Big 12; meanwhile, the Cyclones average 76.2 points per game, which is fourth in the Big 12.

Defensively, the Jayhawks allow 64.1 points per game, which is sixth in the Big 12, while the Cyclones allow 65.5 points per game, which is eighth in the Big 12.

When Iowa State limits its opponents to less than 66 points, it has proven to be unbeatable so far this season. Iowa State is 9-0 when it has held its opponents to 66 points or less, but they are 2-6 when they allow more than 66 points.

Kansas is 1-4 when they have been held to 66 points or less, with its lone with coming against the Omaha Mavericks 63-48.

Three out of those four losses, have come in conference play.