WBB: Cyclones avoid trap game, tie program record in win over Tech

Iowa State Cyclones guard Ashley Joens (24) takes a shot against Texas Tech Lady Raiders forward Chantae Embry (33) and Texas Tech Lady Raiders forward Taylah Thomas (24) during the second quarter at Hilton Coliseum Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, in Ames, Iowa.

AMES — The term ‘trap game’ can be exaggerated and hyperbolized all around college basketball throughout the course of the four-month regular season, but the circumstances coming into Saturday’s Iowa State-Texas Tech game lived up to it.

The No. 9 Cyclones set up what is essentially a Big 12 regular season championship contest with Baylor on Monday, beating the Red Raiders 71-55 in a game that was closer than anticipated for the better part of three quarters.

Even a couple of possessions into the third quarter, Iowa State was trailing.

“We told our team at halftime that the biggest thing was that we had to be a lot more locked into our defense (in our scouting report),” Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly said. “I thought (after that) we defended really well and scored against a defense that wasn’t set.”

The defense led to offense in this case, allowing the Cyclones to stretch the lead to double digits.

“They were getting to the basket easy (against us),” Lexi Donarski, who held Texas Tech star Vivian Gray to 11 points below her season average said. “I think we really just picked it up on defense and that’s what got us the offense.”

But the circumstances didn’t dictate why Texas Tech kept the game close. That’s been the theme for that team – which has wins over Texas and Oklahoma – all season. They play teams tough, and Iowa State is fortunate to be one of the teams in the conference to sweep them.

“It was tough,” Fennelly said. “I have coached teams that were looking ahead and it impacted their game. I don’t think that was the case at all (today). Our team doesn’t think that way – they don’t operate that way – and that’s unfair to how well Texas Tech played today.”

Now the heads turn to Monday night.

Iowa State could clinch a share of the Big 12 regular season championship for the first time since 2000. It would be the second time in the history of the program for a team to do that.

The Cyclones and their opponent will both be ranked in the top 10. The game is being televised on ESPN2.

It’s as big as it gets for a Hilton Coliseum finale.

“It’s a great thing,” Fennelly said. “Obviously, Baylor might be playing as well as any team in the country let alone the Big 12. I told our kids after the game, that this is what the NCAA Tournament environment will be. You’ve got a tough game in the first round against a team you don’t know much about and you’ve got one day to get ready for a really good team.”

It may also be the final conference game Ashley Joens plays at Hilton Coliseum.

The program’s all-time leading scorer will indeed go through Senior Night ceremonies on Monday, but has not yet made her decision on if she will take her extra year of eligibility.

For now, she’s focused on the next month of basketball, with an emphasis on the next 40 minutes.

Those minutes check all the boxes. Expect the environment in Ames to do the same.

“If you’re not excited about it, then we’re all doing the wrong thing. It should be a great showcase for our league, our community and our fan base. We’re excited for it.”

Big 12 WBB Standings

Position	Team	Ovr.	Conf.
1	Iowa State	24-4	13-3
1	Baylor	23-5	13-3
3	Oklahoma	21-6	10-5
3	Texas	20-6	10-5
3	Kansas	19-7	10-6
6	Kansas State	18-9	8-7
7	West Virginia	12-13	5-10
8	Oklahoma State	8-16	3-12
8	Texas Tech	10-17	3-13
10	TCU	6-18	2-13