The following is a press release courtesy of Iowa State athletics communications.
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Iowa State fell to Iowa 88-76 on Wednesday night in the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series, as the Cyclones dropped to 6-2 overall on the season. ISU was led by Jadda Buckley with 21 points, while Seanna Johnson and Bridget Carleton chipped in 18 each.
The Cyclones were hampered by a 38.2 percent shooting percentage on the night, including just 6-of-28 (21.4 percent) from 3-point range. On the other side, the Hawkeyes made 13 treys on 21 attempts.
How it Happened
The Cyclones got off to a slow start on the offensive end on Wednesday night, shooting just 5-of-20 from the floor in the opening quarter, including 0-of-8 from beyond the 3-point line. Despite the cold opening quarter, Iowa State found a way with second-chance points. The Cyclones pulled down seven offensive rebounds and scored half of their points in the quarter on second-chance opportunities. Iowa State found itself with a 12-8 lead with just over two minutes to play in the quarter, but Iowa rattled off a 7-0 run to take a 15-12 advantage after one.
Iowa State briefly took a 17-15 lead early in the second on back-to-back buckets by Johnson, but a 13-1 Hawkeye run ensued to swing momentum back to the home team. While Iowa State continued to endure a poor shooting performance, Iowa made 5-of-6 attempts from 3-point territory in the second quarter. The Hawkeyes would eventually take their largest lead of the half at 43-28 on a Tania Davis triple just before the halftime buzzer. Buckley led the way for ISU with 10 points and three boards in the half despite the Cyclones shooting just 11-of-35 from the field and 1-of-14 from deep.
Coming out of the locker room after intermission, the Iowa lead ballooned to 20 as the Hawkeyes took a 60-40 advantage just over midway through the third quarter. The Cyclones responded and cut into the lead with a 10-2 run of their own and eventually got within 12 at 62-50 following 3-pointers from Johnson and Buckley on back-to-back possessions. However, that was as close as Iowa State would get during the stretch, with Iowa pushing the lead back to 67-51 at the end of the third.
Iowa State mounted one more comeback effort in the fourth quarter, putting together a 13-1 spurt down the stretch, but were never able to get the Hawkeye lead under nine. Iowa’s 13-of-21 shooting effort from beyond the arc proved to be too much to overcome, as the Hawkeyes came away with an 88-76 win.
Cyclone Player of the Game
Seanna Johnson. The senior guard’s versatility was on display and was a bright spot for the Cyclones in a game with stretches of offensive frustration. Johnson put up 18 points and led the team in assists (3), while tying for the team lead in rebounds (6).
Cyclone Quick Notes
*Iowa State extended its NCAA-record streak to 681 games with a made 3-pointer.
*The Cyclones have shot 80 percent or better at the free-throw line in seven of their eight games (85.7 percent tonight).
*ISU has had a positive turnover margin in seven of eight games (+5 tonight).
*Jadda Buckley had the fifth 20-point game of her career and her second of the season.
*Bridget Carleton went 10-of-10 from the free throw line.
Up Next
Iowa State returns to Hilton Coliseum on Sunday to face Northern Illinois.
Tip will be at 2:00 p.m. CT and the game can be watched live on Cyclones.tv.
