WACO, TX – No. 7 Iowa State (16-3, 5-2 Big 12) dropped its second-straight game of the season to No. 15 Baylor (13-4, 3-2 Big 12), 87-61, as shooting woes plagued ISU yet again. Iowa State netted just 32.7 percent from the field and was outrebounded 43-31 in the loss.
The Cyclones were led by Ashley Joens, who finished with 19 points, seven rebounds and three assists. She netted three triples on the afternoon to move into the ISU record book tied with Lindsey Wilson (214) for 10th all-time. Her seven rebounds also moved her into sole ownership of fifth-place in school history with 928 in her career.
Maggie Espenmiller-McGraw added 11 points for her second game of the season in double figures. Beatriz Jordão finished with 10 points, rounding out the Cyclones in double figures.
How It Happened
Both Iowa State and Baylor started off slow in the first quarter, with neither team getting into much of an offensive rhythm. With Baylor holding a 12-7 lead, the Cyclones rattled off back-to-back 3-pointers in the final 29 seconds as Espenmiller-McGraw and Ashley Joens connected to end the quarter on a 6-0 run to take a 13-12 lead.
In the second quarter, Baylor would go on to outscore Iowa State 27-15 while shooting a blistering 58.8 percent (10-of-17) from the field. Iowa State would shoot just 28.6 percent from the field and would trail Baylor by 11 at the half, 39-28. Ashley Joens would lead the Cyclones in points, rebounds and assists at the break with eight points, five boards and three assists.
The Lady Bears would keep their foot on the gas in the third quarter, as the Cyclones’ shooting woes continued. BU would rattle off a 19-0 run in the middle of the third quarter and not look back, taking a 64-37. Iowa State would not connect on a field goal for the final 6:49 in the quarter, as Baylor went 5-of-8 from long range alone to take a 23-point lead into the final stanza, 66-43.
Baylor’s lead would be too much to overcome for Iowa State, whose rare offensive slump plagued the Cyclones for the second-straight game. ISU finished the game 7-of-27 from 3-point land, falling to BU, 87-61.
Up Next
Iowa State will take on Kansas at home on Wednesday, Jan. 26. The game will be at 6:30 p.m. on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
