The Lowdown

The first half saw each team struggling to get in a groove as each team shot under 35 percent for the half. The 22 personal fouls called might have had something to do with it, as it seemed like an untimely whistle halted any momentum either team could get.

The second half started with a bang for the Cyclones as they went on a 10-2 run in gain momentum out of the half.

After shooting just five of 15 on three-pointers in the first half, the Cyclones started the second half by hitting on five of six attempts from behind the three-point line. The Cyclones hot start ballooned into a 20-point lead at the ten-minute mark.

TCU’s patented pressure defense pulled the Horned Frogs back to within 12 at the five minute mark, but that’s as close as they would get to pulling off another second half comeback over the Cyclones.

The Cyclones held a fairly comfortable double-digit lead for the remainder of the contest and walked away with a 80-62 win.

X-Factors

Bryanna Fernstrom came up big for the Cyclones as she poured in 18 points off the bench for the Cyclones. ISU coach Bill Fennelly made the decision to bring Fernstrom off the bench for the first time this season and it paid off.

Nikki Moody was also huge for the Cyclones, as she scored 15 points and dealt out six assists for the Cyclones. Moody helped break TCU’s press all night long, which was a major concern coming into the game.

Even more impressive, Moody played the entire second half with a hobble after suffering what appeared to be an ankle injury in the first half.

Seanna Johnson’s 15-point, 13-rebound double-double also deserves to be mentioned.

Up Next

The Cyclones will head down to Texas for a showdown against the Texas Longhorns. Iowa State knocked off then-No. 3 Texas at Hilton a few weeks back.

The Longhorns will have revenge on their minds this time around. The game tips off at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 25, in Austin, Texas.