A day after defeating Texas Tech at the Big 12 Championships, the Iowa State women’s basketball team concluded its run in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with a 81-69 loss to second-seeded Texas. 

Here are three takeaways from the Cyclones’ final game of the season − barring any postseason tournament invitation. 

Runs

If the first half could be defined with one word, it would be runs. The Longhorns opened the game with an 11-2 run, resulting in just one basket for the Cyclones in the first four minutes. However, right when Texas was getting comfortable, Iowa State went on an 8-0 run of its own to pull within one. 

From that point on, the two teams traded blows in the first quarter, which put the Longhorns ahead by just three after the first 10 minutes.

Then, Texas went on another run. This time it came right off the bat in the second quarter. The Longhorns scored the quarters first eight points to jump ahead by 11. 

Excluding junior Bridget Carleton’s two free throws, it was actually a 16-0 run. After that run, the Cyclones were essentially out of it by halftime. After two quarters, the Longhorns led 42-27. 

Iowa State’s 10 second-quarter points was the lowest point output in a quarter in its last five games. The Cyclones were also subject to a game of runs the last time the two teams met. 

The Cyclones even utilized another 10-0 run late in the fourth quarter to pull within 11. Texas responded with a 7-0 run to extend the lead for good. 

Size mismatch 

The Longhorns possess three girls at 6-feet-4-inches. The Cyclones have just one, Bride Kennedy-Hopoate. The only problem is Kennedy-Hopoate was shut down for the season in February. 

The size mismatch showed, especially both times the two teams met in the regular season. Over those two games, the Cyclones were out-rebounded 84-62 and it didn’t get much better this game. 

In the first quarter the Cyclones had just three rebounds and Texas had 11, three of which were offensive boards. The second quarter, though, went much better for the Cyclones.

The rebound battle ended at 10-8 in favor of the Longhorns, but it was Jatarie White that went off. White had eight rebounds at the end of the third quarter and added four more by the end of game. 

On the Cyclones’ side, Carleton and Madison Wise led the way with five rebounds each. Iowa State’s three post players had just seven rebounds. 

By the end of the game, the Longhorns won the rebound battle 38-25. They also outscored the Cyclones 34-20 in the paint. 

Durr ends Big 12 career on fire

Senior Emily Durr was in a rut with 11 games left in the regular season. Coach Bill Fennelly started the senior on the bench against West Virginia, one game after Durr was benched for the entire second half in a loss to Baylor. 

.@claire_ricketts and @emdurr head to the bench with a standing ovation from the #Cyclone faithful!

Two great seniors who finished the #IowaStateWay.

— Cyclone Basketball (@CycloneWBB) March 4, 2018

After the West Virginia game, Durr was on fire. From that point on, she reached double figures in every game except one. On five of those occasions, Durr reached 20 points, which included a career-high 27-points against Kansas in the regular season finale. 

Tonight, it was no different. The Utica, New York native netted 25 points. The impressive part was she did it mostly in the game’s final three quarters. After six points in the first quarter, Durr went off for 18 points. 

However, for Durr and the Cyclones, her 25 points weren’t enough. What was a close game ended in a blowout. Texas’ Ariel Atkins matched Durr shot-for-shot, finishing with 25 points. Carleton also finished with 25 points. 

Thanks for being a Cyclone @emdurr! pic.twitter.com/CWNnCUMXt0

— Cyclone Basketball (@CycloneWBB) March 4, 2018

The loss ends Iowa State’s 2017-18 season − one that was considered a rebuilding year. The Cyclones will lose just Durr and Claire Ricketts, while getting transfer Alexa Middleton and three incoming freshmen, including Iowa native Ashley Joens.