Fifty-two — that’s the number of days that have come and gone since the Iowa State women’s basketball team last faced Oklahoma. And 52 days ago the Sooners edged out the Cyclones, 74-69.

Come Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Norman, Oklahoma, a lot will have changed from Oklahoma’s win on Dec. 31, 2017. However, one thing will remain the same — Iowa State will get Oklahoma’s best shot.

“We’re gonna get their best shot, we understand that,” said Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly.

Fennelly isn’t wrong. The Sooners are surging and boast a 5-2 record in their last seven games with two wins over West Virginia and a loss to Baylor that went down to the wire. However, the Sooners aren’t the only team riding a little momentum.

The Cyclones are currently riding a two-game win streak, albeit one of the wins was against Big 12 bottom-feeder Texas Tech. The other came against a TCU team that is eight games over .500.

While it’s obvious that the timing is perfect to heat up, it’s also obvious that Emily Durr and Claire Ricketts, the Cyclones’ lone seniors, are starting to realize their careers in the cardinal and gold are winding down.

Durr, the senior leader, is averaging 19.2 points per game and four assists per game in her last five outings. That stretch was highlighted by a 21-point performance at TCU. Ricketts, who has filled in following Bride Kennedy-Hopaote’s injury, is averaging 5.5 boards per game and 17.3 minutes per game in her last six. Amazingly, Ricketts was above 10 minutes of playing time just twice prior to Oklahoma State win.

“We’re trying to set an example right now for the younger girls,” Ricketts said. “We’re trying to set the tone of what it should be like so when we’re gone they remember the little things, the extra, the culture it should be.

“Go out with a bang.”

While Durr and Ricketts have heated up, the Sooners also have a few players scorching the basket. To be exact, they have five players who are averaging above 10 points per game, compared to Iowa State’s two.

The Sooners are led by their senior center, Vionise Pierre-Louis. The 6-foot-4 center is averaging 15.5 points per game and 8.6 rebounds. When Oklahoma traveled to Ames, the Cyclones held Pierre-Louis to just five points and five rebounds, although she was battling foul trouble that game.

And then there is Gabbi Ortiz, Shaina Pellington, Ana Llanusa and Maddie Manning. All four average at least 12 points per game or better, while Manning, an Ankeny, Iowa native, averages 5.4 rebounds per game.

“It’s kind of hard to pinpoint one point on defense that we need to guard this player this way,” Durr said. “They’re a very offensive-oriented team and very spread out.”

Simply put: no one on Oklahoma is an easy task. That’s what has allowed the Sooners to play themselves into NCAA Tournament talk. Oklahoma showed that last time against Iowa State, as it had four women score in double figures.

On the Iowa State side, though, it just had three in double figures. One was Bridget Carleton and the other two were Madison Wise and Adriana Camber. Durr, who said it herself, was practically a no-show at the game with just two points.

This time it will be different, according to the Cyclones’ leader.

“Personally, I didn’t play well at all,” Durr said. “[We know] we can change the outcome this time.

“It’s gonna be a challenge, but I think we can do it.”