AMES – A 14-2 run to close the first half gave No. 14 Iowa State (2-0) the lead for good Monday night, as the Cyclones beat South Dakota State (1-2) 75-56 at Hilton Coliseum.
Lexi Donarski led a trio of Cyclones in double figures with a game-high 22 points. Ashley Joens scored 17 points, as she moved into seventh on Iowa State’s all-time scoring list. With 1,712 career points, Joens moved past Hallie Christofferson (1,709). Emily Ryan added 12 points, five assists and four steals in the victory. Aubrey Joens scored nine points off the bench, while grabbing a career-high nine rebounds. Nyamer Diew blocked a pair of shots.
Iowa State shot 42.4 percent from the floor, including 9-of-14 (64.3%) in the third quarter. The Cyclone defense held SDSU to 33.9 percent shooting, including 1-of-10 from 3-point range in the second quarter. Iowa State had a 17-8 advantage in points off turnovers.
How It Happened
South Dakota State held an 8-6 lead early in the game, but the Cyclones used an 8-0 run to take a 14-8 lead. The Jackrabbits closed the first quarter on a 9-1 run, as South Dakota State led 17-15 after the opening frame. With 5:14 to play in the first half, Aubrey Joens connected on back-to-back 3-pointers, as Iowa State closed the first half on a 14-2 run that included nine-straight points to start the flurry. Iowa State led 36-26 at the half behind 17 combined points from Donarski and Ryan. Iowa State continued the scoring spree in the third quarter, using a 10-0 run to take a 48-31 lead.
Up Next
The Cyclones hit the road for the first time this season, as Iowa State travels to Des Moines on Thursday, Nov. 18 for a game against Drake (1-1). Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. at the Knapp Center and will be televised by Mediacom MC22 and ESPN+.
