WBB: ISU, TCU keys to the game

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Blake Lanser/Iowa State Daily

Senior guard Nikki Moody shoots from inside the three-point line during Iowa State’s matchup with UC Riverside on Dec. 30. Moody scored 19 points with five assists, posting her 70th career game with at least five assists. Iowa State defeated UC Riverside 71-54.

Chris Wolff

Iowa State and TCU will face off for the second time this season when the Horned Frogs make the trip to Ames on Jan. 21.

The last time these two squared off, the Cyclones built up a 44-21 halftime lead, but TCU came all the way back and won on a layup with under two seconds remaining. 

Here are the keys to the game if the Cyclones want a different outcome this time around:

– Nikki Moody needs to stay out of foul trouble. In the two team’s first matchup, Moody only played 15 minutes due to foul trouble. With Jadda Buckley sitting out due to injury, the Cyclones need Moody to stay in the game and be the primary ball handler.

– The Cyclones need to respond better to TCU’s press. Last time out, the Cyclones were bothered by TCU’s press, which sparked the Horned Frogs’ comeback. They will need to respond to TCU’s pressure defense better this time around.

– The Cyclones will need an x-factor to step up. Outside of Nikki Moody, Brynn Williamson, and Seanna Johnson, the scoring is somewhat limited for the Cyclones, at least on a consistent basis. Someone needs to step up and have a big game for the Cyclones, whether it is Kidd Blaskowsky, Bryanna Fernstrom or someone off the bench like Emily Durr. 

Read more on Iowa State’s matchup with TCU here.