Recap: Cyclone Women Take Down the Jayhawks at Hilton

The Iowa State Cyclones defeated the Kansas Jayhawks 65-49 on Saturday night at Hilton Coliseum. With the win, Iowa State (11-4, 3-1) moves into a tie for 2nd place in the Big 12. The Cyclones forced 17 turnovers and continued a trend of strong defense. Jadda Buckley and Bryanna Fernstrom led the Cyclones with 12 points each. Fernstrom also had 10 rebounds in the game. Senior guard Kidd Blaskowsky added 11 points for the Cyclones.

Iowa State couldn't buy a bucket in the first few minutes of the game, but a three pointer by Buckley took the lid of the hoop with 6:30 left in the 1st quarter. It seemed Iowa State's struggles shooting the ball might continue on Saturday evening, but the Cyclones finished nearly 40% from the floor by the end of the quarter. Iowa State scored the last six points of the quarter, including a Buckley layup in the waning seconds, to lead 14-11 after 10 minutes. Buckley was more active on the offensive end than she was against Texas, putting up five shots in the initial period.

An Emily Durr jumper and a Bridget Carleton three at the start of the 2nd quarter helped Iowa State extend its lead to 19-11. Four three-second violations were called in the first 12 minutes of the game, which contributed to a high turnover rate in the first half for both teams. Iowa State also had a few scoring opportunities that were halted with traveling calls; the Cyclones had eight first-half turnovers. A trey from Kansas helped the Jayhawks get within 18-21, but Blaskowsky responded with a three of her own to give the Cyclones a six-point lead midway through the 2nd quarter. Iowa State did not make a single free throw in the first 20 minutes. Blaskowsky led the Cyclones in the first half with eight points. Seanna Johnson was quiet, contributing just two points and three rebounds before the break. Despite her slow start, the junior finished the game with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

The Cyclones made a concerted effort to get the ball inside at the start of the 3rd quarter through Meredith Burkhall and with Buckley drives to the basket. Iowa State was able to draw some fouls, but it struggled from the foul line and finished the game just 58%. Iowa State held Kansas without a basket for a four minute stretch in the quarter and was able to extend its lead to eight points on a Fernstrom basket and free throw with 3:56 left in the 3rd. A three by Blaskowsky helped guide the Cyclones to a 44-34 lead heading into the 4th quarter.

The Jayhawks got within five points early in the 4th quarter, but the Cyclones responded with a five-point spurt to extend the lead back to double digits. Kansas could not make a final push, and Iowa State coasted the rest of the way.

The Cyclones have a week off before they travel to Lubbock to take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders next Sunday at 2pm.