LAWRENCE, KANSAS – No. 23 Iowa State’s (18-9, 10-7 Big 12) comeback fell short at Kansas (18-10, 8-9 Big 12) by a final of 98-93 Wednesday night. ISU had two 25-plus point scorers as the Cyclones nearly rallied back after going down by as much as 17.
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Iowa State came back from two 10-plus point deficits to bring it back to a one-possession game as the Jayhawks found their largest lead of 17. The game remained within two points with 19 seconds left in the game, but Kansas pulled ahead with the victory.
How it Happened
A Fritz triple opened Cyclone scoring to cut into the Jayhawks early 5-0 lead. Kansas continued to hold the advantage with 15-9 at the midway point of the first quarter. After KU went up nine, ISU fought back on a run of five but Kansas hit a 3-pointer to follow as the clock winded down to put the score at 26-19.
Morgan Kane knocked down a shot from deep to kick off the second before Kansas ran ahead by 10 on its sixth trey at the 7:18 mark. Kansas stretched its lead to 13 before Iowa State tallied six-straight for a 39-32 score. Fritz then hit her second and third 3-pointer, cutting down the home team’s lead to five. ISU closed the half with a shot beyond the arc by Joens while Kansas followed with a layup as the clock hit zero at 48-43.
Kansas found its largest lead of the game, going ahead by 17 (66-49) with 4:44 left in the third. The Cyclones battled to cut the deficit to 10 while Joens stayed nearly perfect at the charity stripe (13-of-14) to end the third with a score of 72-62.
KU again went up by 17, but the Cyclones pressed forward taking 11-straight to cut the lead to single digits at 85-79. Joens continued to tally points, hitting two 3-pointers in less than a minute of play to come within five with 1:41 left. Kansas’ lead was brought within a possession as Kane made a layup bringing the score to 90-87. With 19 seconds remaining the game remained within two (93-91). Kansas remained ahead as the ISU comeback fell short, 98-93.
Player of the Game
Ashley Joens went out to her third 30-plus point game this season while totaling 18 on her career. Joens also notched her 12th double-double of the season and the 61st of her career with 33 points and 14 rebounds.
Denae Fritz downed her previous career high (14) with 26 points. The redshirt freshman recorded another career high with four 3-pointers achieving the total on just five attempts.
Up Next
No. 23 Iowa State returns to Hilton one final time this Saturday for the regular season finale vs. Texas Tech at 3 p.m. The game will be streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and tickets are available here.
