LAWRENCE – No. 9 Iowa State (23-4, 12-3 Big 12) picked up its 23rd win of the season, matching its regular season record with an 85-59 win at Kansas (19-6, 10-5 Big 12). Iowa State’s win gives the Cyclones their fifth sweep in league action, while remaining on top of the Big 12 standings.
Iowa State continued to show why they are the best 3-point shooting team in the country, connecting on 17 3-pointers, marking the 15th time this season the Cyclones netted double-digit triples. A total of six different Cyclones connected from beyond-the-arc, with Ashley Joens and Lexi Donarski leading the way with five apiece.
Ashley Joens paced Iowa State with 22 points, 11 rebounds and three assists, while Donarski added 21 points for her fifth game of the season with 20-plus points. Emily Ryan stuffed the stat sheet once again, finishing with 10 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds, while Beatriz Jordão rounded out the Cyclones in double figures with 10 points.
How It Happened
Iowa State was red hot out of the gate, connecting on 5-of-6 from long range by the media timeout in the first quarter taking a 19-6 lead. Ashley Joens tallied 11 of the Cyclones first 19 points off a perfect 4-of-4 from the field. The Cyclones ended the quarter 10-of-17 from the floor to lead KU 27-14.
The Cyclone offense cooled off in the second quarter, but strong defensive play left Iowa State holding onto its double-digit lead, 38-26, at the half. Iowa State was led by Ashley Joens who tallied 16 points and seven rebounds in the first half. Donarski went a perfect 4-of-4 from the field in the first half for 11 points.
The Cyclones put up a balanced scoring effort in the third quarter, with six different players combining for 24 points to KU’s 16. Iowa State grew its lead to as much as 22 after a layup by with 1:05 to go. Iowa State ended the quarter with a comfortable 62-42 lead.
Kansas put on the full-court press at the start of the fourth quarter, pulling within 11, before a triple by Donarski quieted the crowd and pushed the lead back to 14, 67-53. Iowa State would not look back from then on, pickup up its 15th-straight win over the Jayhawks, 85-59.
Up Next
Iowa State returns to Hilton Coliseum on Saturday, Feb. 26 when it takes on Texas Tech at 1 p.m. in ISU’s annual Play4Kay game. Iowa State will look for the sweep against Texas Tech and the game will air on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
