LUBBOCK, TX – A 3-point shooting outburst helped guide a record-breaking performance by Iowa State (9-3, 1-0 Big 12) as the Cyclones took down Texas Tech (11-1, 0-1 Big 12) 96-66 Friday night at United Supermarkets Arena. Heading into the night’s contest, the Lady Raiders were one of eight undefeated teams in the country.
Iowa State’s first quarter saw the Cyclones score 35 points via a school-record eight 3-pointers. However, TTU was able to erase a 17-point lead to tie up the game. However, the visitors had another crazy quarter on the cards, as ISU outscored Tech 31-4 in the third period on a school-record 12-of-13 (92.3 percent).
For the night, ISU’s 37-of-57 (64.9 percent) shooting effort from the field was one of the most efficient performances in program history. Iowa State’s 96 points is a record for a Big 12 road game, the previous besting being 92 at Nebraska on Feb. 4, 2001.
ISU finished with a season-high 16 3-pointers. The Cyclones’ victory was led by 23 points from Kristin Scott, who went 9-of-15 from the field on the night. Joining her in double figures was Ashley Joens (19), Maggie Espenmiller-McGraw (17), Adriana Camber (12) and Rae Johnson (11).
The Cyclones inconsistent 3-point shooting got a boost to begin the contest, with five of their first six possessions finishing with made treys to get out to a 17-7 lead. ISU made its first seven 3-point attempts to build up a lead of as many as 17 points in the first period, with Adriana Camber, Rae Johnson and Maggie Espenmiller-McGraw all multiple treys in the first. Iowa State’s eight first quarter 3-pointers was the most in program history.
ISU was working with a dozen point lead heading into the second, and were up 14 after an Espenmiller-McGraw bucket at 39-25. However, the Lady Raiders began to make their move, going on a 14-2 run to get back within a pair at 41-39. Brittany Brewer, responsible for 12 second-quarter points, laid one in to tie the game at 43-43 heading into the final minute of the period. However, Ashley Joens was able to push the Cyclones back ahead with back-to-back buckets for a 47-45 halftime lead.
The Cyclones surged out of the break, getting the first eight points of the half, capped by a Joens 3-pointer to re-establish the double figure advantage at 55-45. The Cyclones continued to click to begin the third, making their first 12 shots as Kristin Scott’s lay-in made it 78-49. Iowa State set a quarter-era recorded for field goal percentage, going 12-of-13 (92.3 percent) from the field, with the only miss coming in the final seconds of the quarter. TTU was restricted to just four points at 1-of-13 (7.7 percent) shooting, while also committing five turnovers.
After three roller-coaster quarters, ISU was able to settle things down and use its composure to bring home conference win No. 1 of the year.
Kristin Scott notched a season-high 23 points, her third 20-point effort of the season. The junior has been in double figures in five of ISU’s last six games. She also added four rebounds, four assists and a pair of blocks.
Ashley Joens saw her streak of four-straight 20-point games come to an end, but still put up an efficient 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting. She also just missed out on a fifth-straight double-double, grabbing nine rebounds.
Adriana Camber recorded a season-best 12 points via three 3-poiinters. She also recorded six rebounds, two steals and two assists.
Iowa State returns to Hilton Coliseum for its conference home opener on Monday night against No. 25 Texas. Tip between the Cyclones and Longhorns will be at 8 p.m., with Fox Sports 1 televising the contest.
