Maggie Espenmiller-McGraw makes a pass during Iowa State's 79-59 win over Texas Southern on Tuesday. Photo by Connor Ferguson.
It took Kansas five minutes to find its first points.
Hilton Coliseum was the site of an 89-67 rout provided by the Iowa State women’s basketball team against the last-place Jayhawks.
The game never felt close and even the lop-sided score didn’t do it justice.
The Cyclones finished the afternoon with five players in double digits, led by freshman phenom Maggie Espenmiller-McGraw.
“I thought Maggie was the best player in the game by far,” Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly said. “Her energy level was great. She defended very well. I’m really proud of the way she played today.”
Espenmiller-McGraw didn’t score a single point in Iowa State’s previous game against Kansas State.
Her 20 points on Saturday was a career high.
“(The shots) eventually had to start falling and tonight was the night,” Espenmiller-McGraw said.
The win is the third straight for the Cyclones in Big 12 play, who look to be clicking more and more as the season goes on.
For a team without a true identity to play like they did on Saturday is a huge step for Fennelly’s squad trying to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
Iowa State spread the ball around, locked down on the defensive side in the first half and absolutely dominated the Jayhawks.
That’s exactly what Fennelly wanted to see.
“That’s just a game that we really needed at this point in the year and I’m very pleased with how we prepared this week,” Fennelly said.
It’s also exactly what the Cyclones will need next week.
Iowa State will return to action for a matchup with No. 2 Baylor on Tuesday in Waco. The game is scheduled to be televised by Fox Sports 1 and will tip off at 7:30 p.m.
| Big 12 WBB Standings | |||
| Position | Team | Overall | Conference |
| 1 | Baylor | 17-1 | 6-0 |
| 2 | Texas | 13-6 | 5-2 |
| 3 | TCU | 13-4 | 4-2 |
| 4 | Iowa State | 12-6 | 4-3 |
| 5 | West Virginia | 13-4 | 3-3 |
| 6 | Oklahoma | 10-9 | 3-4 |
| 7 | Oklahoma State | 12-7 | 3-4 |
| 8 | Kansas State | 8-9 | 2-4 |
| 9 | Texas Tech | 13-5 | 2-5 |
| 10 | Kansas | 12-6 | 1-6 |
Upcoming Big 12 Games
Sunday, January 26
7:30 p.m. | No. 25 West Virginia (3-3) @ TCU (4-2)
Tuesday, January 28
7:00 p.m. | Texas (5-2) @ Oklahoma (3-4)
7:30 p.m. | Iowa State (4-3) @ No. 2 Baylor (6-0)
Wednesday, January 29
7:00 p.m. | TCU (4-2) @ Oklahoma State (3-4)
8:00 p.m. | Kansas State (2-4) @ Kansas (1-6)
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