AUSTIN, Texas – No. 15 Iowa State (11-4, 3-2 Big 12) fell to Texas (13-5, 4-1 Big 12) Sunday evening by a score of 68-53. Ashley Joens added another school record to her name while putting up her seventh 20-point game of the season.
Joens officially took hold of the career rebound school record with her first board of the contest to top Angie Welle’s mark of 1,209 set from 1999-02. Joens now ranks at fifth in Big 12 history with 1,215. The senior was the lone Cyclone double-figure scorer as she closed the night with a 21-point performance.
The Longhorns benefited from 26 points off 20 Cyclone turnovers while UT also recorded 10 steals and six blocks. Iowa State came back to tie it after being down by 10, but Texas again took a lead of over 10 that ISU could not overcome.
How it Happened
Texas took a 6-0 run to lead 11-6 following ISU turnovers early in the opening period. A Joens 3-pointer cut the Longhorn lead to two, but Iowa State was held scoreless as UT went up 17-9. ISU then brought it to an eight-point game making its last three shots to end the first with the score at 23-15.
The second quarter began with Emily Ryan netting the second beyond the arc shot, starting a run of six to trim Texas’ lead down to four at 25-21. At the midway point of the quarter, Denae Fritz stole the ball as Ryan drove up the court for the layup to come back within three at 26-23. ISU committed additional costly turnovers as Texas went up nine but battled to cut the lead to one at 32-31. UT hit a 3-pointer to follow for a halftime score of 35-31.
Joens had a quick start in the second half with a layup 10 seconds in while making her second triple with 7:59 on the clock. Another Joens layup came with under six minutes in the third to close in on the lead before Izzi Zingaro netted the game-tying shot to make it 42-42. Texas then went ahead 52-47 as ISU went 1-of-6 from the field to end the third.
The Longhorns again hit a scoring streak to take its largest lead of 16 at 65-49. Iowa State could not overcome the deficit as Texas took the 15-point victory.
Player of the Game
Ashley Joens had her seventh 20-plus point game of the season and 64th of her career. The senior finished with 21 points (9-of-14 shooting), six rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Up Next
No. 15 Iowa State returns home Wednesday to host Oklahoma State. Tip inside Hilton Coliseum is at 6:30 p.m. The game will be streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
