Iowa State dominated Kansas in a 93-80 victory Saturday, showcasing a strong offensive performance targeted by the Cyclones’ variety of shooting options.
Meeting Kansas for the 100th time, Iowa State came in with a dominating first-quarter performance that carried into the rest of the game.
Despite the Cyclones maintaining a lead throughout the game, the Jayhawks had a consistent offensive performance that gave Iowa State a run for its money and kept the score tight. However, the Cyclones were able to pull through in the final minutes to take home a 13-point victory.
Emily Ryan drives early momentum
Surviving a lingering ankle injury, senior guard Emily Ryan joined the court in the starting lineup and built the Cyclones’ momentum from the first quarter.
Ryan made Iowa State’s first 3-point shot of the night after a successful bucket from behind the arc. It was also the first basket of the game, which was just a glimpse into how the night would go.
Playing a game in front of her friends and family, the Clafin, Kansas native put in back-to-back threes, driving the Cyclones to a 26-17 first-quarter lead. Ryan finished out the first quarter leading the team with 12 points and going 4-for-4 from the 3-point arc.
Earning herself a season-high of 19 points during the previous matchup against Kansas this season, Ryan exceeded her season best, ending the night with a new season-high of 20 points after going 7-for-13 from field goal range. Ryan also had six assists and two defensive rebounds during her 28 minutes on the court.
Variety of shooting options
After Ryan’s early start, the Cyclones’ offensive performance was impressive as they successfully utilized various shooting options, with different players able to establish shooting leads.
Iowa State ended the night with a 50% success rate from behind the arc, making 18 of its 36 attempted shots. Along with Ryan, junior guard/forward Sydney Harris made back-to-back threes in the fourth quarter and ended with 17 points after going 5-for-9 from behind the arc.
Sophomores Addy Brown and Kelsey Joens both sank three shots from the 3-point line. Brown ended the night with 17 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. Joens followed with 11 points, seven rebounds and was 2-for-2 from the free-throw line.
Alongside success from the perimeter, sophomore center Audi Crooks found her footing from within the paint in the second half after putting up a minimal seven points in the first 20 minutes of play.
Crooks ended the night with a team-high of 25 points after going 9-for-14 from field goal range. She added nine rebounds and one assist.
The Cyclones’ success from behind the arc drew together 54 points, alongside 28 points from within the paint.
Jayhawks strong offense keeps the game close
Despite the Cyclones putting up a large nine-point lead in the first quarter, the Jayhawks found their offensive confidence and kept the score close.
Kansas found its comfortable footing from within mid-range, making 36 points from two-pointers and 18 points from within the paint.
Leading their offensive success was sophomore guard Brittany Harshaw, who scored a team-high 26 points, went 9-for-14 from field goal range and had six assists.
The Jayhawks were able to outscore the Cyclones in the fourth quarter 23-20 due to a team effort from around the perimeter. Sophomore guard S’Mya Nichols drew together back-to-back shots to put together a total of 20 points and a team-high of 12 assists and four rebounds.
