The following is a press release courtesy of Iowa State athletics communications.
TRIESTE, Italy- The Iowa State women’s basketball team defeated ASD Societa Ginnastica, 72-60, Monday evening in Trieste, Italy. Freshman Nakiah Bell led Iowa State with 17 points, two rebounds and two assists. Bell went 5-for-7 from long range to pace the Cyclones to their second win in Italy.
The Cyclones got off to an impressive start, going on a 13-2 run to break out in the second quarter and lead ASD Societa Ginnastics, 43-23. The Cyclones were led in the first half by Bell, who went 4-of-4 from the field, and 3-of-3 from long range for 11 first-half points. Freshman Emily Durr also had a breakout first half, knocking down two 3-pointers and a pair of free throws for eight points. (European basketball has four quarters).
A 17-6 run in the third quarter pulled ASD Societa Ginnastica within striking distance, 49-43. However the Cyclones pushed back in the fourth quarter, outscoring ASD Societa Ginnastica 23-17 for a 72-60 win.
“I thought we played thirty really good minutes,” head coach Bill Fennelly said. “In the third quarter we lost our offensive momentum a little bit and let the game get close again.”
Senior Nikki Moody was Iowa State’s second leading scorer with 13 points. The point guard controlled Iowa State’s offense for much of the game and tallied three assists. Freshman Bryanna Fernstrom rounded out the Cyclones in double digits with 10 points. She also grabbed seven boards.
Sophomore Seanna Johnson put together another standout performance in Italy, leading the Cyclones with eight boards and tallying eight points.
“It was good to see us play the way we played and it was good to see some development out of our freshmen,” Fennelly said. “The four freshmen who are playing a lot, played a lot of minutes and scored a lot of points so that’s been encouraging. We are still trying to find our balance, but overall it was a solid game and certainly thirty good minutes.”
The Cyclones will play again on Wednesday vs. Chemcats Chemnitz in Lake Como. Tip-off is set for 11 a.m. CST.
Iowa State Statistics
Baier: 2 reb.
Bell: 17 points (6-9 fg, 5-7 3fg) 2 reb., 2 asst.
Blaskowsky: 2 ppoints (1-5 fg) 3 reb.
Durr: 10 pts (3-9, 2-6 3fg, 2-2 FT) 6 reb.
Ellis: 4 pts. (2-6 fg) 6 reb. 1 asst.
Fernstrom: 10 pts (3-7 fg, 4-6 FT), 7 reb., 1 block,
Jensen: 2 pts (2-4 FT), 1 reb.
Johnson: 8 pts (3-9 fg, 2-2 3fg), 8 reb, 2 asst., 3 steals
Moody: 13 reb, (3-10 fg, 1-3 3fg, 4-5 FT) 1 reb., 3 asst., 2 steals
Ricketts: 6 pts (2-4 fg, 2-2 FT), 1 reb.
Williamson: 2 pts (1-9 fg, 0-6 3 fg), 5 reb., 1 asst., 2 steals
* Only players who recorded statistics are listed
