AMES – Iowa State (8-3) used a 12-0 third-quarter run to surge past North Alabama (9-3), 80-72, on Monday night at Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones were led by a 22-point, 15-rebound outing from sophomore Ashley Joens. The Cyclones went 37-of-42 at the free throw line, tying the Hilton Coliseum program record last set on Dec. 12, 2013 vs. Iowa.
The Cyclones made a living at the free throw line in the game’s opening stanza, connecting on nine of 10 attempts at the charity stripe in the period to open up an early lead. Iowa State’s aggressive drives to the basket also paid dividends in creating open looks for senior Adriana Camber, who knocked down a pair of triples in the first 10 minutes, as Iowa State led 24-18 after one.
Camber and Kristin Scott drilled back-to-back 3-pointers to open the second quarter, forcing a North Alabama timeout as Iowa State surged ahead 30-18, its largest lead of the first half. The shooting of Lion guard Emma Wallen kept the visitors in the game, as the senior knocked down three triples in the final 3:11 of the second quarter to bring North Alabama back within striking distance at 40-35 at the halftime intermission. Ashley Joens was Iowa State’s leading first-half scorer with 13, to go with nine rebounds.
The Cyclones earned breathing room thanks to a 12-0 run to end the third quarter, capped by a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Rae Johnson to put the Cyclones ahead 61-45 with 10 minutes to play. Johnson sparked the Cyclones with 10 points in the quarter, while the defense locked down, giving up just 10 points in the stanza, including just two in the final 5:16.
The Lions refused to go away, scoring the first nine points of the fourth quarter and eventually cutting the Cyclone lead to just 71-68 on an and-one converted by Ivy Wallen with 2:20 to play. However, Iowa State got the stops it needed down the stretch and scored its final 11 points at the free throw line to ice the game.
Players of Note
Ashley Joens was terrific once again, stuffing the stat sheet. The sophomore registered her fourth-straight double-double and sixth of the season, tallying 22 points, 15 rebounds and two assists while playing all 40 minutes.
Rae Johnson put up 16 points, including 12 in the second half and five during ISU’s decisive 12-0 run in the third quarter. Johnson also chipped in four rebounds and four assists on the night. Johnson was a perfect 8-of-8 at the free throw line.
Kristin Scott scored 17 points, pulled down nine rebounds and blocked a pair of shots in 30 minutes of action.
Iowa State will open Big 12 play on Friday at 7 p.m. vs. Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas. The game will be televised live on FSSW.
