Coming off a huge win at home against a ranked Kansas State squad, the Iowa State women’s basketball team will now have to follow it up with another tough Big 12 game — this time on the road. 

Iowa State (11-8, 2-6 Big 12) will go up against No. 20 Oklahoma (15-5, 6-2 Big 12) on Wednesday in Norman, Oklahoma.

Although the Cyclones are feeling good about their most recent win, junior guard Jadda Buckley knows they need to move forward and prepare for the Sooners.

“It was definitely something we needed,” Buckley said. “Coming home from the Baylor game, we came into Hilton and the next few games with a clean slate. … It was a huge confidence boost, but now we have to execute and keep rolling off it.”

This will be the second time the Cyclones face off against the Sooners this season. In the last meeting, Iowa State was leading by two at the half, but was outscored in the second half by 12 points, losing 67-57.

Junior guard Emily Durr talked about what they will need to do differently this time around to come away with the victory.

“I think it still feels fresh, I think we can beat them,” Durr said. “We had them here at Hilton, just a couple stretches in the game where we lost our focus and they capitalized on it. I think we can do better in crunch time in a lot of moments and we’ll be fine.”

Last time out, the Cyclones had a difficult time with the multiple defenses that were run by Oklahoma. Both Buckley and sophomore guard Bridget Carleton committed four turnovers each and were a combined 9-for-28 shooting, including 2-for-11 from 3-point range.

“I don’t think there’s another team in our league that, from the coaches down all the way down to the last person on the bench, plays with more energy and enthusiasm,” Fennelly said. “When you play them, you better know, especially in Norman, your energy level better be really high, because they’re going to bring it every single time.”

Iowa State was dominated down low by Oklahoma center Vionise Pierre-Louis, who netted 18 points, pulled in 16 rebounds and had two blocks. Pierre-Louis could be a big factor in determining who gets the fourth starting spot for the Cyclones.

Three different players have made the start for the team so far this season. A majority of the games have seen freshman guard TeeTee Starks get the start, but there have been a handful of games when Emily Durr or Heather Bowe have gotten the call.

Durr says the starter for each game is determined by the matchup the other teams present.

“I think it’s just the matchup we see,” Durr said. “Whatever coach thinks fits well with our game plan and who we’re playing, we can all start on any given day. Whether it’s me, Heather [Bowe], or TeeTee [Starks]. It’s just whatever coach wants and what he thinks is the best matchup.”