The following is a press release courtesy of Iowa State Athletics Communications.
LAWERENCE, Kan. – The Iowa State women’s basketball team (12-9, 4-6 Big 12) defeated the Kansas Jayhawks (5-17, 0-11 Big 12), 63-53. The Cyclones outscored the Jayhawks by 15 points in the third quarter to spur the second half comeback.
How it Happened
After one quarter of action, the Cyclones and Jayhawks were locked at 13-13. Iowa State went on a 7-0 at the beginning of the quarter, which was capped off by a Bridget Carleton jumper, assisted by Kidd Blaskowsky to put the Cyclones up 9-3.
However, the remainder of the quarter belonged to the Jayhawks. Kansas’ Kylie Kopatich knocked home a jumper at the horn to bring us to a 13-13 tie at the first intermission.
The second quarter began much like the first ended for the Jayhawks. The teams went back and forth the first few possessions, but a Seanna Johnson free throw at the 5:35 mark in the second quarter would be final Cyclone points of the first half. Kansas went on a 10-0 run to end the half, leading 28-18.
Iowa State shot just 7-of-26 from the floor in the first half and connected on only 1-of-7 3-pointers attempted. Meredith Burkhall led all ISU scorers with six points at the break.
The Cyclones came out with a much different look offensively in the third quarter. Iowa State began the half on a 13-4 run that included 6-of-10 shooting to bring the score to within one, 32-31.
At 3:33, Burkhall drew a foul and knocked down two key free throws for the Cyclones, tying the game at 33-all. Johnson captured the lead for the Cardinal and Gold with a pivotal old-fashioned three-point play. At the 2:18 mark, Iowa State led 37-35.
Johnson, Burkhall and Buckley were a three-headed monster in Iowa State’s third quarter comeback. Johnson shot 4-of-5 from the field and connected on two free throws for 10 points. Burkhall was huge on the defensive boards coming out of halftime, collecting five in the third quarter. Buckley did her part as well, dishing out four assists.
However, Kansas would not go quietly. The Jayhawks tied the game at 8:02, 45-45. The two teams traded baskets, but Madison Baier banked home a lay-up to regain the lead for the Cyclones at 49-47. From there, the ISU cruised to victory.
Iowa State shot 53.8 percent on 14-26 shooting in the second half, as well as 88.9 percent from the charity stripe, executing on 16-18 attempts. The Cyclones outscored Kansas 45-25 in the second half to secure the 63-53 victory.
Cyclone Game Ball Goes to…
Meredith Burkhall. The freshman was outstanding for the Cyclones this evening. She poured in 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting while also capturing a career-high 12 boards to record her first double-double.
Game Notes
*ISU extended its NCAA-record streak to 664 consecutive games with a three-pointer.
*Seanna Johnson recorded her 10th career 20-point game and seventh of the season.
*Buckley set a career-high with 11 assists and notched her second career double-double.
*Burkhall recorded her first career double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Up Next
Iowa State returns home for a matchup against the Texas Longhorns in Hilton Coliseum on Saturday, Feb. 6. Tip-off is set for 1:30 p.m.and the game will be broadcast on FS2.
