The Lowdown

The ISU women’s basketball team got back on the court for the first time in seven days and did so without missing a beat. The Cyclones (7-2, 0-0 Big 12) used yet another high-scoring output to down Fairfield (2-8, 1-1 MAAC) 76-63.

Though ISU guard Jadda Buckley missed her second straight game with a “stress injury” in her right foot, and the Cyclones finished with a 38.7 shooting percentage, the team still put up a decent number of points, aided by senior Brynn Williamson’s 23 points and freshman Bryanna Fernstrom’s 20 points.

Though the offense was operating sufficiently, the ISU defense struggled as it has all season to string together enough stops to make a serious run and pull away early. The defense proved to be enough, though, to keep Fairfield out of striking distance for the majority of the game.

X-Factor

Brynn Williamson: The senior put up a career-high 23 points for the Cyclones in the win, including 18 in the first half alone. Her opening-stanza performance was highlighted by a pair 6-0 runs against Fairfield.

By the Numbers

20-of-24: Iowa State’s performance from the charity stripe. The Cyclones made twice as many free throws as Fairfield attempted.

0: Seconds that Fairfield held a lead in the game.

10: Assists for ISU guard Nikki Moody, who played only 25 minutes due to early foul trouble.

127-3: ISU coach Bill Fennelly’s record in non-conference home games.

Up Next

The Cyclones have more than a week off before returning to Hilton Coliseum to host the 2014 Cyclone Challenge. Iowa State opens the two-day tournament against Howard University at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 29, with a win earning the team a meeting with the winner of the Brown vs. UC Riverside in the championship game.