Iowa State Women Fall Behind Early in Loss to Oklahoma

Iowa State got behind early and couldn’t finish a late rally in a 63-78 loss to the No. 20 Oklahoma Sooners in Norman on Wednesday night. The Cyclones (11-9, 2-7) were looking to put together a winning streak following a victory over Kansas State last Saturday night, but a quick start by the Sooners helped them withstand several Iowa State runs.

Seanna Johnson had 17 points and seven rebounds. Jadda Buckley finished with 15 points, Heather Bowe scored 11, and Bridget Carleton added 10 points and five rebounds.

Neither team was able to get much separation early in the game, and it was all tied up at 6-6 at the first media timeout. The Sooners burst out of the timeout with a 14-0 run in just three minutes that put the Cyclones in a deep hole, and by the end of the 1st quarter, OU led 23-8.

The 2nd quarter got off to a good start with a three from Carleton, which brought the Cyclones within a dozen points. Oklahoma got ahead as much as 17 points at 32-15, but two straight treys kept Iowa State in striking distance. The Cyclones built on their run with a layup from freshman Nia Washington, who made the ISU deficit nine points at 23-32. Then, a three from Bowe continued to help the Cyclones recover from a poor 1st quarter.

For over five minutes in the 2nd quarter, OU didn’t score a single point, which helped the Cyclones get as close as four points, but 10 turnovers limited Iowa State’s ability to trim the lead further. At halftime, Iowa State trailed 28-38.

Despite a Johnson three pointer in the first minute of the 3rd quarter, OU quickly extended its lead to 44-31. A Carleton three followed by a Bowe jumper kept Iowa State within single digits, but the Sooners continued to answer. Meredith Burkhall made it 41-49 on a layup with 4:29 to play in the 3rd, and it appeared that the Cyclones might be able to sneak back into the game.

Later, Buckley drew a foul and made two free throws to make the Cyclone deficit just six points at 45-51. Similar to the 2nd quarter, Iowa State did a strong job defensively and held the Sooners scoreless for over four minutes. By the end of the 3rd, the Cyclones trailed 48-53.

The Sooners hit a three to take an eight point lead at the start of the 4th quarter, but Bowe had an answer, and Johnson made a layup with 8:34 to play to bring the Cyclones within one possession at 53-56. Just as quickly, however, Oklahoma once again extended its lead to 62-53 with 6:44 left in the 4th.

The Cyclones got as close as five points in the final minutes, but OU always had an answer on the other end, and Iowa State simply ran out of time.

Iowa State is back in Ames for a Saturday game at 1pm against TCU. The Cyclones lost to the Horned Frogs 75-80 two weeks ago in Fort Worth.