No. 9 Iowa State played in Stillwater, Okla. on Saturday afternoon, but the team’s offense resembled that of the race cars ripping around the SageNet Center over in Tulsa.
The Cyclones throttled Oklahoma State, finishing off a 74-60 win to improve to 5-0 to start conference play.
“It’s a great accomplishment for this team, considering who we’ve played,” Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly said postgame on the Varisty Network. “I know it’s early – but in basketball, there’s only one team in the Big 12 – men’s or women’s – that haven’t lost a game. That’s these guys.”
The victory gives the team a 16-1 record through its first 17 games this season, officially making it the best start to a year in school history.
A large part of that was due to the start they got in the first 10 minutes of the game.
“I think we’ve talked a ton about (our starts) and it comes from playing scouting report defense early, making some shots, and kind of easing your way into the game,” Fennelly said. “That was a really, really good first quarter and after that, it was kind of back and forth.”
Iowa State used a 17-2 run in the first quarter to create a sizeable lead on the scoreboard, never letting Oklahoma State get back within 12.
Lexi Donarski provided a plethora of offense, finishing the game with 23 points – her highest total against a power-conference team this season.
“Yeah, I mean I’ve definitely been getting a lot of extra shots up to get my confidence up,” Donarski said on the Varsity Network. “It was good to get a couple more 3-pointers to fall tonight.”
The game featured another double-double for breakout player Morgan Kane, who has helped bolster Iowa State’s post play over the course of the year.
Kane and transfer Beatriz Jordao finished the afternoon combining for 22 points and 15 rebounds.
“Absolutely and I know that if I’m calling for it down low, it’s attracting attention to the post and leaving (Donarski) open to hit those three’s,” Kane said on the radio broadcast.
The last pillar that held up the Cyclones’ lead came from the free-throw line. Iowa State missed just one free throw on the day while OSU went made just over 50 percent.
That’s something Fennelly loves to see.
“We talk about making free throws ad nauseum,” Fennelly said. “When you go 19-20 from the line and the other team is 7-13, you’re already plus 12 on the day.”
The 5-0 start in Big 12 play is Iowa State’s sixth in school history and the Cyclones will look to tie their best start in conference play the next time it hits the floor on Wednesday against No. 13 Texas at Hilton Coliseum.
Big 12 Women’s Basketball Standings
| Position | Team | Ovr. | Conf. |
| 1 | Iowa State | 16-1 | 5-0 |
| 2 | Oklahoma | 14-2 | 3-1 |
| 3 | Kansas State | 13-3 | 3-1 |
| 4 | Kansas | 11-2 | 2-1 |
| 5 | Texas | 11-3 | 1-2 |
| 6 | West Virginia | 8-5 | 1-2 |
| 7 | TCU | 5-7 | 1-2 |
| 8 | Texas Tech | 8-7 | 1-3 |
| 9 | Oklahoma State | 6-8 | 1-4 |
| 10 | Baylor | 10-4 | 0-2 |
Saturday, Jan. 15
No. 9 Iowa State 74, Oklahoma State 60
In Progress – TCU (1-2) @ No. 23 Oklahoma (3-1)
In Progress – No. 25 Kansas State (3-1) @ Texas Tech (1-3)
7:00pm | West Virginia (1-2) @ No. 13 Texas (1-2)
Sunday, Jan. 15
No. 14 Baylor (0-2) @ Kansas (2-1)
