UNCASVILLE, Connecticut – No. 14 Iowa State (8-2, 0-0 Big 12) took the lead nine seconds in and did not give it up as the Cyclones put up a wire-to-wire 74-62 win over No. 25 Villanova (9-3, 1-1 Big East) Sunday evening in the Invesco QQQ Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase. It was the Cyclones’ first victory over a ranked opponent this season.
Emily Ryan came one rebound shy of a triple-double with a stat line of 16 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. Ryan also added a block and a steal as she dominated the game.
Ashley Joens picked up another school record as she has now played in a program-leading 136 games. Joens led with 17 points, including a game-leading four triples. Iowa State had a balanced attack with five in double figures as Ryan (16), Stephanie Soares (14), Denae Fritz (13) and Lexi Donarski (10) ensured the entire starting five were in double figures.
The Cyclones were hot from the start, shooting 42.9 percent in the first half with six made 3-pointers. ISU held Villanova to 30.3 percent shooting to take a 19-point lead after two quarters. Iowa State went on to post the 12-point victory while making 10 triples and out-rebounding the Wildcats 52-27.
How it Happened
Fritz started the game fast with a basket from deep off a Ryan dime nine seconds into the contest. Villanova closed the quarter making just 1-of-7 shots from the field as ISU went on to build a lead out to nine via back-to-back triples by Joens and Ryan. After the first, the Cyclones led 21-12.
Iowa State again hit back-to-back 3-pointers in the second, this time by Joens and Donarski to go up 35-19 with 4:42 on the clock. The Cyclones kept on the hot shooting, taking a 42-23 advantage over the Wildcats into the break.
Villanova tried to cut into Iowa State’s lead with a run of eight to open the third. ISU was held scoreless until Fritz hit her second trey of the day with 3:39 to go. The Cyclones remained ahead as Ryan entered double figures while making the buzzer-beating layup to end the third up 52-37.
Ryan continued to command the game, fighting through contact while completing the three-point play as the final quarter began. Fritz remained perfect beyond the arc nailing her third as the clock hit 4:48 with a lead of 67-46. The victory was sealed 74-62 as Villanova took just their third loss this season.
Player of the Game
Emily Ryan ended up just one rebound shy of a triple-double, finishing with her first double-double of the season with 16 points, 10 assists (her 10th career 10-assist game) and nine rebounds. The first half saw Ryan record seven points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Up Next
No. 14 Iowa State returns to Hilton Thursday at 5 p.m. for an in-state battle against Drake. The game will be streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and tickets are available through the Iowa State Athletics Department.
