AMES – No. 11 Iowa State (19-3, 8-2 Big 12) picked up its first sweep in Big 12 action with a 70-55 win over Kansas State (16-6, 6-4 Big 12). Wednesday night’s win gives the Cyclones their 19th win in the first 22 games of the season, for just the second time in program history (20-2, 2000-01).
Iowa State’s floor general Emily Ryan had a banner night. Ryan scored 15 points, dished eight dimes and hauled in six rebounds. Ryan also went 7-of-12 from the floor to pace the Cyclones. Fellow sophomore Lexi Donarski added 15 points, while Ashley Joens chipped in 11 points and 12 boards for her 42nd career double-double. Nyamer Diew added a boost off the bench yet again, netting 10 points, marking her second-straight game in double figures.
Iowa State’s win over the Wildcats also gave head coach Bill Fennelly his 350th win inside Hilton Coliseum.
How It Happened
Iowa State and Kansas State went toe-to-toe for much of the first quarter, but the Cyclones gained some cushion thanks to a late 6-0 run, capped by a jumper by Ashley Joens with 0:24 seconds left to take a five-point lead over KSU. Iowa State used a stellar defensive effort to hold Kansas State to 17.6 percent shooting and just eight points, taking a 13-8 lead after one.
In the second quarter, both squads went an efficient 8-of-15 from the floor, but Iowa State’s defense against Kansas State star Ayoka Lee was the difference maker, as the Cyclones held Lee to just four points in the first half off 2-of-6 shooting. The Cyclones ended the half with a bang with Maggie Espenmiller-McGraw giving the Cyclones a flashback, draining a triple at the buzzer to take a 31-25 halftime lead. Her shot was reminiscent of her game-winning 3-pointer in Manhattan, Kansas earlier this season. Lexi Donarski and Morgan Kane led Iowa State at the half with seven points a piece.
Iowa State made quick work in the third quarter and stretched its lead to double figures as Ryan kicked one to Donarski for a corner-3 to give the Cyclones a 39-29 lead. It was all Iowa State from there with the Cyclones putting their foot on the gas, shooting 10-of-14 from the field and outscoring the Wildcats 24-8 in the third quarter to take a 55-33 lead.
Kansas State’s Jaelyn Glenn made a run of it in the fourth quarter, scoring 17 of Kansas State’s 22 points, but it wasn’t enough as Iowa State cruised to a 70-55 win. In the win, the Cyclones shot 49.2 percent from the field and outrebounded the Wildcats 39-32.
Up Next
Iowa State continues its home stand on Saturday at 6 p.m. when it takes on Oklahoma State. Saturday’s game will be at 6 p.m. on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
