On an emotional senior night in Hilton Coliseum, Iowa State women’s basketball dominated for their its straight victory, beating Oklahoma State 61-48.

Iowa State (17-11, 8-9 Big 12) and Oklahoma State (16-12, 6-11 Big 12) both came in the night riding a wave of momentum and with hopes to secure a spot in the NCAA tournament

All four seniors on the roster started the game for the Cyclones, but this night belonged to senior Seanna Johnson. With her entire family at the game, Johnson got started early and dominated for 38 minutes until she was taken out to a standing ovation from the large Hilton crowd.

Johnson finished her career in Hilton Coliseum with an 18-point, 14-rebound performance, leading the team in both categories. She also recorded her 32nd career double-double, tied for second most in school history.

Johnson described what it was like to get a victory the last time she played on her home court.

“It was really exciting, it was really emotional,” Johnson said. “But to play with them one more time on this court really meant a lot and to get the [win] meant extra for me.

“I’m really, really proud of our team for the way that they handled the situation and I’m really excited that we got the win.”

Johnson has started all 118 games in her career and has been a huge asset to the team all four years.

Coach Bill Fennelly talked about what it was like for him to see Johnson end her career on such a strong note.

“A lot of times when you’re a senior you don’t have that moment,” Fennelly said. “You’re pretty nervous and thinking about how everything is the last… It was nice to see her finish the way she has done it so many times.”

The Cyclone’s only trailed by four points in the opening minutes before finishing the quarter on a 19-4 run. Iowa State led by as many as 23 points and never let Oklahoma State come anywhere close to a comeback.

Redshirt junior guard Jadda Buckley also had an outstanding game for the Cyclones. Buckley finished the night with 15 points, eight assists and six rebounds, and a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line.

Buckley sees no end to her team’s winning trends. 

“Going on that five-game winning streak, that’s pretty unreal,” Buckley said. “But we can’t let up now, going into the Big 12 tournament and trying to get past that first round. Who know what postseason yet, that will come, but it’s not time to let up now.”

Coach Fennelly was excited and proud of the way his team performed tonight and talked about what’s making the team play so well at this point in the season.

“It’s incredible how hard they worked,” Fennelly said. “I challenged them three weeks ago to finish and we won our last five games in thirteen days… I could not be more proud to be where we are.”