Iowa State women’s basketball: Cyclones upset 3rd-ranked Texas Longhorns
By Brian Spaen
One game after blowing a 24-point lead to TCU on the road, the Iowa State women’s basketball team responded by knocking off 3rd-ranked Texas at Hilton Coliseum on Saturday afternoon.
The Cyclones defeated the Longhorns 59-57. They overcame a 37-24 deficit at halftime and they were at one point down by 18 points.
Perhaps the biggest key to the win was a complete flip in field goals made. Texas shot an astonishing 7-for-11 from downtown in the first half and shot 45.5 percent overall from the field.
Iowa State rebuttled with a 51.9 shooting percentage in the second half after going just 25.9 percent in the first. The Cyclones had 27 attempts in both halves, but made double the baskets in the second half (14 field goals made).
The win was even more impressive considering sophomore guard Jadda Buckley is dealing with a nagging foot injury. She was ruled out for this game and the upcoming game against 5th-ranked Baylor on the road. Buckley was able to return for Big 12 play, but it was a short ride.
Multiple Cyclones stepped up in her absence. Nikki Moody was the unquestioned player of the game as she flirted with a triple-double. Her stat line finished at 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. She went 7-of-13 from the field and made a 3-pointer.
Seanna Johnson nearly had a double-double with 12 points and 9 rebounds. Brynn Williamson was the other Cyclone that scored in double-digits.
It was an impressive win for the Iowa State women, who move to 11-3 on the season (2-1 in Big 12 play) and handed Texas their first loss. That was a perfect way to respond after blowing a huge lead to TCU — a game they should have coasted in. We’ll see how they come out in another big test with Baylor on Tuesday.