After a tough 81-60 loss down in the Bahamas last weekend by the hands of the Central Michigan Chippewas, the Iowa State women’s basketball team must regroup as they take on in-state foe Drake Bulldogs down 7 p.m. Thursday at the Knapp Center in Des Moines.

In the 21 point loss to Central Michigan, Iowa State’s early season issues arose: post play and turnovers.

All four of the Cyclones’ post players (Meredith Burkhall, Kristin Scott, Bride Kennedy-Hopoate and Claire Ricketts) were non-factors against the Chippewas. The four players combined for a mere 18 points and 16 rebounds, but only six were offensive boards. If Iowa State gets that type of performance once again from them, it will be in for a long night against Drake.

“We don’t rebound the way we should,” coach Bill Fennelly said. “In the two games we have lost, we got out rebounded.”

Although the Cyclones’ post play did them no favors, neither did their turnovers.

Iowa State turned over the ball 14 times against Central Michigan, and half of those came from the Cyclones’ top-two players, Bridget Carleton (three) and Emily Durr (four). But, the turnovers have ultimately been a team issue this year.

Through the first five games of the season, Iowa State is averaging nearly 17 turnovers per game. And through six games this year, Drake is forcing nearly 16 turnovers per game. Therefore, the Cyclones should expect the Bulldogs to bring pressure at the Knapp Center.

While these two issues have done Iowa State no favors, the biggest glare to the Cyclones’ play so far this year has been that it can’t find a Robin to their Bat-Man.

“Probably the biggest thing on a basketball court that we’ve learned is Bridget [Carleton] needs some help,” Fennelly said.

There is no question about it, Carleton is undoubtedly Iowa State’s best player. On the season, the junior is averaging 18.2 points per game. That is seven more points than the next player who has seen action in four of the five games this year. Now, granted, the Cyclones do have a young team this season. In fact, Fennelly and company are relying on three true freshmen and a JUCO transfer to help contribute in major ways.

If Fennelly were to shine a bat signal right now, senior Emily Durr would be that Robin to Carleton’s Bat-Man.

Durr has missed one game this year due to a knee injury. But in the other four contests, she has been productive for Iowa State. The guard is averaging 11.3 points per game, which is second on the team. Plus, Durr brings experience and calmness when she takes the court, which is valuable to a youthful squad like the Cyclones have.

“I think I just bring calmness,” Durr said. “We have a lot of young kids. So, just keeping them confident. If their shots aren’t going in, just giving them that little pep talk in the huddle or something like that. And then leadership. I’m the old one on the team. I have a lot of experience. So, just trying to portray that.”

With all things said, this young Iowa State team will need to try to play error free come Thursday night. It will also need to find a couple more scorers along with Carleton. If the Cyclones don’t, the inexperienced players might learn just how serious Cardinal and Gold fans take in-state games.

“Any Iowa game, whether it’s UNI, Iowa or Drake, it’s always going to be tough, especially on the road,” Durr said. “They really have to understand the depth, and that people take it [seriously] in Iowa. Really take it seriously.”