The Iowa State women’s basketball team’s last three games have not been kind to it.

Against Drake, Vanderbilt and Iowa, Iowa State found ways to keep itself in the contest. However, the Cyclones couldn’t find a way to win those match-ups, as they lost by three, three, and six points respectively in each game. And those losses have taken a toll on Iowa State players. Junior Bridget Carleton was in tears after the Cyclones’ loss to the Hawkeyes last Wednesday.

Bill Fennelly on what his team has to do after three straight close losses pic.twitter.com/IOKHVE7NPR

— Garrett Kroeger (@GKroegs) December 8, 2017

“I think the biggest thing what we have to do is control what we can,” said coach Bill Fennelly. “That’s our effort. Our effort has been good. Every team goes through some kind of learning curve. And for us, there’s the process of having to put yourself in position to win games and then the next step is to finish the games. We have had a lot of opportunities and we’ve put ourselves in good spots. But we haven’t been able to make the play.”

However, the Cardinal and Gold have a chance to regroup and get back into the win column on Sunday afternoon at noon in Hilton Coliseum against the North Carolina Central Eagles (2-5).

In the game against Iowa, Iowa State only went to the free throw line 13 times. That is uncharacteristic for a Fennelly coached team.

“When you are not making shots,” Fennelly said. “That’s the next opportunity.”

At times, the Cyclones have struggled shooting the ball. In those three straight close defeats, Iowa State’s highest shooting percentage was 42.3 versus Drake. However, collectively all year, Fennelly’s squad has shot 38.9 percent, which isn’t even in the top-200 in the NCAA.

As Fennelly, stated, getting to the free throw line is helpful for a team that is struggling to make buckets. Being aggressive is one way to get there. However, against the Hawkeyes, the Cyclones were not aggressive enough.

Iowa’s length bothered the Cardinal and Gold at times, and made them timid when attacking the rim. But come Sunday afternoon, if Iowa State isn’t shooting well, it will need to make sure it is aggressive enough to get to the line against North Carolina Central.

“I think that’s what we have to do if we are not shooting well,” Carleton said.

Seeing the ball go through the net calms down players. After a couple free throws, players are able to find their shot and start making buckets consistently. That is another reason why the Cyclones are looking to get to the line more often than the past few games.

Not only that, but Iowa State wants to get to the bonus earlier. Get to that fifth foul a little bit earlier, so that a foul — like a hand check — with two minutes to go could lead to some points for the Cyclones.

“We have to be a little bit more aggressive,” Fennelly said. “Again, not just when you are shooting the ball, but be aggressive and make the defense at rest and put the ownership on the officiating.”

But ultimately, Sunday provides an opportunity for Iowa State to right the ship.

“We need to go out and play,” Fennelly said. “I think our kids are excited about being home again.”