Iowa State Women Commit 23 Turnovers, Fall in Lubbock in OT

Iowa State was plagued by turnovers throughout the game, and a 16-2 Texas Tech run in the 3rd quarter doomed the Cyclones, who lost 66-69 to the Lady Raiders on Sunday in Lubbock, Texas. Iowa State was unable to survive its first game without Bryanna Fernstrom, who left the team for undisclosed reasons on Monday. Seanna Johnson had 19 points and 10 rebounds, but she accounted for nearly half of Iowa State's 23 turnovers.

The Cyclones (11-5, 3-2) jumped to an early 7-0 lead against a Texas Tech squad that had failed to win a Big 12 game this year before Sunday. Iowa State started in a 2-3 zone that proved fairly effective early in the game. The Lady Raiders hit some tough shots in the 1st quarter, but the Cyclones held a 19-14 advantage after the first 10 minutes. Bridget Carleton had a strong start for Iowa State; the Canadian freshman scored seven points in the 1st quarter.

Following a quick free throw by Ivonne Cooktaylor for Texas Tech, Iowa State scored four straight points to extend its lead to 23-15 early in the 2nd quarter. The Lady Raiders went on a 7-0 run to get as close as one point before Carleton quieted the crowd at United Supermarkets Arena with a three pointer. Iowa State shot well in the first half, hitting 52% of its attempts from the floor, but 11 first-half turnovers allowed Texas Tech to hang around. The Lady Raiders had eight turnovers of their own but were able to get off seven more shots than Iowa State in the first half. Carleton had 10 points in the first half. Johnson had eight points and eight rebounds, although the junior added five turnovers in the first 20 minutes.

The Lady Raiders tied the game at 30 right away to start the 3rd quarter. Following a Johnson turnover, Texas Tech hit a three pointer to take its first lead. The barrage continued, and coach Bill Fennelly was forced to take a timeout with the Cyclones down 30-36. The timeout did little to stop the bleeding, and the Lady Raiders suddenly led 47-36 just halfway through the 3rd quarter. Texas Tech simply could not miss a shot, and the Cyclones were unable to keep up. Claire Ricketts offered a boost with a three point play to bring the Cyclones within 39-47 with under four minutes in the 3rd, but the Lady Raiders were able to maintain an eight point lead at the end of the quarter.

A Kidd Blaskowsky three pointer got the Cyclones off to a good start in the 4th quarter. The Cyclones could not get closer than five points until Blaskowsky got a steal and a layup to bring Iowa State to 52-55 with under six minutes to go. Iowa State capitalized on a Texas Tech turnover, and an offensive rebound helped the Cyclones tie the game on a Jadda Buckley trey. Tied at 55, Johnson was fouled and sank two free throws to give Iowa State its first lead since early in the 3rd quarter, and it appeared the Cyclones might escape. With under two minutes, Texas Tech tied the game with two free throws, but Carleton hit a jumper on the ensuing possession to give Iowa State a two point lead with 65 seconds to play. Texas Tech tied the game at 59, and Carleton once again responded to lift Iowa State to a 61-59 lead with under 30 seconds. Iowa State fouled Texas Tech on a shot attempt with nine seconds, and the Lady Raiders hit both free throws. The Cyclones could not secure the victory on the final possession of regulation.

In overtime, Johnson opened the scoring with a nice drive to the rim, and Iowa State led 63-61. The game was once again tied, but Johnson completed a three point play to give the Cyclones a 66-63 lead. The Lady Raiders scored the next four points to take a one-point lead, and Iowa State turned the ball over with just over a minute to play. Texas Tech committed a shot clock violation with 14 seconds, giving the Cyclones one final chance to snatch a win from the Lady Raiders. An offensive foul was called on a drive to the basket by Johnson, Texas Tech made its free throws, and the Cyclones could not hit a desperation three pointer to send the game to a second overtime.

Claire Ricketts played 11 minutes and Meredith Burkhall logged 36 minutes. Both post players were forced to play more minutes with the absence of Fernstrom.  Burkhall finished with eight points and eight rebounds. Carleton scored 16 points, and Buckley added 10 points for Iowa State.

Oklahoma State awaits the Cyclones for a Wednesday date in Stillwater at 7pm. Iowa State defeated the Cowgirls 49-42 on January 2nd in Ames.