AMES, Iowa – A big second half helped propel Iowa State (5-3, 2-0 Big 12) to a 91-69 win over Kansas State (5-3, 0-1 Big 12) Friday evening at Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones went into halftime down three, but came out with a strong performance in the second half to claim their fifth win in six against K-State.
Ashley Joens bounced back with 25 points, while Kylie Feurbach had the best game of her young Cyclone career, recording 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Joining them in double figures was Kristin Scott (17) Lexi Donarski (11) and in her season debut Maggie Espenmiller McGraw (14). Iowa State came into the contest shooting just 26.5 percent from 3-point range, but put up its most efficient performance of the season from deep hitting 14-of-29 (48.3 percent).
How It Happened
While the Cyclones never trailed in the first period, K-State was able to continue to counter the home teams efforts. Kristin Scott, coming off a season-best effort in Cedar Falls on Tuesday, continued her work with eight first-quarter points to help put ISU ahead 18-16 after one.
Ashley Joens and Kylie Feurbach got lay-ins on consecutive possessions to up the Cyclone advantage to six at 24-18, but the Wildcats quickly got ahead for the first time when Christianna Carr hit a corner 3-pointer for their first lead of the night at 27-26. The edge at half went to the visitors, as Sydney Goodson hit a trey from the right wing with four seconds left to make it 40-37 Wildcats.
Kansas State moved ahead five at 44-39, but Feurbach and Scott hit from deep to tie it back up at 47-47. Feurbach and Aubrey Joens drove for a lay-ins on consecutive possessions to put the Cyclones ahead again 51-47. Feurbach had a huge third period, notching 11 points on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting effort. The Cyclones shot 64.3 percent as a team in the quarter and built their advantage into double figures.
Iowa State continued to press its advantage to begin the final period, hitting its first six shots of the quarter, as the lead went up to 21 points at 80-59. Iowa State finished the second half hitting 19-of-30 shots (63.3 percent), including an 11-of-16 (68.8 percent) effort from 3-point range.
Players of Note
Kylie Feurbach had the best night of her young Iowa State career, notching a career-best 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting. She was key to helping the Cyclone offense breakout in the third quarter, notching 11 of her points in that period.
Ashley Joens bounced back from her season-low of six points Tuesday night with a 25-point effort Friday night. She also upped her season shooting percentage back above .500 after knocking down 10-of-15 shots on the night.
Kristin Scott just missed out on her second-straight double-double, but had another strong night with 17 points on 5-of-6 shooting from 3-point range. She grabbed nine rebounds.
Up Next
Iowa State will play its final non-conference game, and final game of 2020 on Tuesday at Hilton Coliseum against Drake. Tip between the Cyclones and Bulldogs will be at 6 p.m.
