Cyclone Women Stumble Against Longhorns

The No. 4 Texas Longhorns proved too much for Iowa State on Wednesday night, as the Cyclones fell 54-75 in Austin. Iowa State (10-4, 2-1) had won nine of the previous 11 meetings against Texas, but the Longhorns were dominant in the paint all night long. Iowa State struggled from the floor like it did against Oklahoma State on Saturday. However, unlike the Oklahoma State game, the Cyclones had trouble on defense and from the foul line. The Cyclones have averaged just 51 points the past two games. Seanna Johnson finished the game with 23 points in 30 minutes for Iowa State.

Iowa State got down big early against the Longhorns, who used an 11-0 run to build an 18-6 lead in the 1st quarter. The Longhorns were highly effective early from three-point range, starting 5-7. Several times in the first 10 minutes, Texas was also able to drive quickly past the Cyclone defense. Despite a hot start from the Longhorns, Iowa State used a four-point burst to stay within 12-23 at the end of the 1st quarter.

Texas struggled to make some easy buckets in the 2nd quarter, missing eight attempts in a row, but Iowa State failed to take advantage with its own run. Texas maintained a 28-18 advantage midway through the 2nd quarter. The Cyclones were able to contend with Texas on the glass in the first half, despite abandoning most offensive rebound opportunities to play transition defense. In the closing minutes of the 2nd quarter, Iowa State got as close as seven points, but the Longhorns raced to a 38-25 lead heading into the locker room. Seanna Johnson led the Cyclones with 12 points at the half. Iowa State missed an uncharacteristic five free throws on nine attempts in the first half.

Meredith Burkhall started 4-4 from the field and hit the first basket of the 3rd quarter to bring the Cyclones within 11 points. Texas continued to miss easy layups and turn the ball over in the 3rd quarter, providing several opportunities for Iowa State to trim the lead. Much like the 2nd quarter, the Cyclones simply couldn't get a bucket to move closer to the home squad. By the end of the 3rd quarter, Iowa State was just 32% from the floor, and Texas extended its lead to 35-53.

The Cyclones couldn't muster a rally in the 4th quarter, but a road loss to a top five team certainly should not halt the momentum Iowa State built over the past month. Iowa State finished the game just 47% from the free throw line. Bridget Carleton contributed 11 points and eight rebounds, and Burkhall added 11 points and seven rebounds.

The Cyclones face off against Kansas in Hilton Coliseum at 7pm on Saturday.