Rebounding a concern for women vs. West Virginia

After suffering their first loss of the season last Saturday night, the No. 13 Iowa State women’s basketball team (14-1, 3-1) will take the floor tonight at 7:00 in Hilton Coliseum against the West Virginia Mountaineers (14-2, 3-1). 

The Mountaineers have picked up wins in the early conference season over Texas, Kansas, and the team that handed Iowa State their first loss, Oklahoma State. West Virginia enters the game as one of the best rebounding teams in the Big 12 and rank second in the league in offensive rebounds per game at 16.7. 

For Iowa State head coach Bill Fennelly, limiting the Mountaineers chances on the offensive boards will be a big key for the Cyclones. 

“We have been a decent rebounding team,” Fennelly said on Monday. “But, this team is different.”

Fennelly is concerned that the West Virginia’s rebounding could to foul trouble for the Cyclones. 

“The more offensive rebounds they get, obviously more chances they get to score, but it also puts us in more situations to foul, that’s where we have to figure out something to neutralize them.”

The Mountaineers are led by a 6-foot-4 senior center named Asya Bussie. On the season she is averaging 13.8 points per game and 7.8 rebounds.  

“They have a lot of girls coming back from last year’s team,” said Iowa State sophomore guard Kidd Blaskowsky. “They are a really athletic team. They are going to be quick and they will be ready to go.”

Of course, our Ian Smith will be at Hilton Coliseum with complete coverage of tonight’s game for CycloneFanatic.com. For live updates, follow @CycloneFanatic on Twitter and check back to our front page for a complete recap after the game.