The No. 6 Texas Longhorns (16-4, 7-2 Big 12) exploded in the second half en route an 87-55 win over Iowa State (9-12, 3-7 Big 12). The Longhorns were backed by six players in double figures. 

Here are three takeaways from the game. 

Cyclones go basket-for-basket with Texas in first half

If Iowa State’s history against top 10 teams repeated itself tonight, the Cyclones would have been out of striking distance from the start. But that wasn’t the case. 

The Cyclones utilized a hot start and jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead. It didn’t stop there as the Longhorns and Cyclones traded blows the entire half. The two teams combined for 10 lead changes in the first 20 minutes. 

The Cyclones’ Emily Durr was an offensive catalyst in the first quarter contributing with nine points, while star junior Bridget Carleton had a moderate five points. Then, freshman Madison Wise hit perhaps one of her biggest shots of the season to pull the Cyclones within one just before the first quarter ended. 

However, the second quarter was a different story. The Cyclones regained the lead one last time with 4:19 left in the half right before Texas went on an 11-1 run to end the half. The Longhorns extended their lead to 39-30 as time expired for halftime. 

Third quarter dooms Cyclones

The Cyclones had the Longhorns right where they wanted them heading into the third quarter. But then, Texas flexed its muscles and showed why it’s a Big 12 title contender. 

The Longhorns went on a 14-0 run to open the second half. The most impressive part of this run was the fact they did it in just under three minutes. And the Cyclones didn’t score until almost 3:18 into the quarter. 

When it was all said and done, the Cyclones gave up 27 points in the quarter. That’s two points shy of the season-high for points allowed in the quarter and that total was set against Kansas State and Vanderbilt. 

However, if one bright spot was to be taken, it was the fact that Durr tacked on nine more points. 

Longhorn starters, Iowa State’s Durr shines

Anytime your starting five can score is wonderful, just ask the Longhorns. Texas’ starters scored 59 of the 87 points. But it’s even better when the bench contributes. The Longhorns had two players, Alecia Sutton and Joyner Holmes, come off the bench and score in double figures. 

Sutton contributed with 11 and Holmes with 12. The spark added to the four starters that scored in double figures as well. In total, the Longhorns had six players score in double figures. 

On the other end of the court, Durr followed up her 16-point performance against Oklahoma State with a game-high 20 points. Durr utilized two quarters of nine points each, and tacked on another two along the way. 

Durr shot 7-of-10 for 70 percent from the field. The senior also knocked down two triples, only missing one. The 20-point performance was her second highest output on the season, only one shy of her season-high 21 against Drake. 

And then there was Bridget Carleton. The Chatham, Ontario, Canada native was coming off a 39-point performance against Oklahoma State, but was only able to muster 19 points. Her 19 points was second to only Durr and her five rebounds was second for the Cyclones as well. 

Kristin Scott, who only recorded two points, played four minutes after sitting out against Oklahoma State due to injury. 

If the Cyclones want to add another win to its resume, Durr will need to continue to put the ball in the hoop as Carleton can’t carry the load herself.