Iowa State will head to Manhattan, Kansas, to take on No. 25 Kansas State in the teams’ second meeting of the season.

The Cyclones (13-10, 4-8 Big 12) enter the contest against the Wildcats (17-7, 7-5 Big 12) coming off of a big road win against No. 22 West Virginia. 

Sophomore guard Bridget Carleton finished that game tied for a career high with 31 points and seven rebounds, a performance that earned her the Big 12 player of the week honor.

“Obviously, that was a huge win for us and it was a dominant win for us,” Carleton said. “It just proves to ourselves what we can do and how we can end this season.

“It’s going to be tough [against Kansas State], especially playing at their place, but we did it there last year. We know we can do it again … they play a lot of zone so we’ve been practicing that. We just need to hit shots and make plays when it counts.”

The Wildcats have only lost two games at home this season, once to No. 1 Connecticut and once to No. 2 Baylor.

An Iowa State victory over the Wildcats would result in two straight road victories against a ranked opponent, something the Cyclones have never accomplished in school history.

“It’s huge, points anywhere you can get them, you’re going to take them,” junior guard Jadda Buckley said. “[Bridget Carleton] is shooting really well from the field as well, so that’s a big plus for our team … I think it’s about focusing to step up and having the confidence to knock it down.”

The Cyclones are coming off their rest week and haven’t played since last Saturday. Coach Bill Fennelly hopes the break was enough to let the team rest and get the recovery time they needed winding down to the end of the regular season.

Fennelly stressed the importance of the players realizing where they are in the season and finishing the year strong.

“I tell our players all the time, anyone can start,” Fennelly said. “But if you’re really good and really special, you finish it and you finish it the best you can.

“We’re coming off our open week, hopefully we’re rested mentally and physically. We gave them [two] days off to let them get their legs back and rejuvenate what we’re doing and now it’s a sprint to the finish line.”