MANHATTAN, Kansas – The Iowa State womens basketball team (15-11, 7-8 Big 12) battled hard but ultimately came up short at Kansas State (14-12, 8-7 Big 12), 60-51. KSU held a 16-point second half lead that Iowa State would cut down to as few as five in the fourth quarter. ISU ultimately came up short in Manhattan, falling to KSU.
How it Happened
Iowa State got off to a slow start on the offensive end, but was lifted by the play of Ashley Joens. She hit a layup as the first-quarter sounded, and the Cyclones trailed the Wildcats 13-11. Joens accounted for nine of Iowa States first-quarter points.
The Wildcats held Iowa State without a field goal for more than seven minutes in the second quarter. An Adriana Camber three pointer broke the Cyclones slump from the field to cut KSUs lead to 21-15. Despite their offensive woes, the ISU defense kept the Cardinal and Gold in the game. Iowa State held KSU to just 1-6 shooting from deep in the first half and forced nine Kansas State turnovers. At the break, Kansas State held a 25-17 advantage over Iowa State.
Kristin Scott left the game in the second quarter with an injury and did not return to the contest.
The Iowa State offense began to click in the third quarter. After hitting just two three in the first half, the Cyclones went 3-6 from downtown in the third quarter. Despite the uptick in offensive output, Kansas State stretched its lead to 44-31 heading to the fourth quarter.
Out of the final break, the Cyclones hit four of their first six field goals and the K-State lead that was once as large as 16, was suddenly just six (47-41). Kansas State pushed the lead back to nine, but ISU answered back and Morgan Kanes first three pointer of the season made it a five point game with under five minutes to play.
Kansas State showed its teeth down the stretch and came away with the 60-51 victory.
Players of Note
Ashley Joens secured her 15th double-double performance of the 2020 season. She went for 17 points and hauled in 13 rebounds. She also added three steals on the defensive end.
Rae Johnson tallied her ninth double-digit scoring output of the season with 10 points on 4-8 shooting. She churned out two assists and nabbed a steal.
Next Up
Iowa State returns home on Saturday when they will host West Virginia in Hilton Coliseum. Tip is set for noon for the Cyclones and Mountaineers.
