Iowa State Cyclones guard Emily Ryan (11), forward Addy Brown (24) and guard Hannah Belanger (13) celebrates after winning 96-93 over Kansas State Wildcats in double over-time of a NCAA women’s basketball at Hilton Coliseum on Feb.14, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. © Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK
Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly gave his team a message ahead of last week’s road matchup with Houston – telling the group that its worked for an opportunity to put itself into the NCAA Tournament with four games remaining in the regular season.
On Wednesday, the Cyclones applied Fennelly’s challenge – to finish the season strong – beating No. 15 Kansas State 82-76 on the road to complete the season sweep of the Wildcats.
“I think our team played really hard,” Fennelly said on the Cyclone Radio Network postgame show. “Obviously, we got down by 10 in the first quarter. Things could have gotten real sideways. I thought everyone contributed… (I’m) really proud of our team and I really believe that they understand what it takes to be a good team. We’re 3-0 in our little four-game season and excited to get back to Hilton Coliseum.”
Kansas natives Addy Brown and Emily Ryan had two of the most standout performances in the matchup, combining for 35 points in the victory.
Brown led the way with 24 points, with 18 coming in the second half. She corralled 11 rebounds and a pair of assists while shooting 9-13 from the field.
“I wanted that one pretty bad, if you couldn’t tell,” Brown said. “This one means a little more, to win (this game) in front of my friends and family… It was a great atmosphere. They had a great crowd tonight. It was fun to play here during their senior night.”
She only missed one shot in the final 20 minutes, helping Iowa State hold its lead for the final 11 in Manhattan.
Ryan dished out nine of Iowa State’s 16 assists in the game, and added seven boards with 11 points in front of a number of her family and friends from back home, as well.
“This win is absolutely massive,” Ryan said. “Any time you can get a road win against a the No. 15 team who hasn’t lost at home this year, it’s huge… The amount of support we have everywhere we go is insane, obviously, but it’s great to see how many people come out and support Addy and I here.”
Part of the win goes into the battle Audi Crooks had against Ayoka Lee, which took each player to the brink with four fouls during the game. Crooks finished with 14 points and seven boards, making some big plays against the senior post.
When she wasn’t on the court, Isnelle Natabou was picking up the scraps. Natabou led the team with a +14 plus/minus during her 17 minutes on the floor.
The win gives Iowa State, which regularly featured five freshman contributors on its roster, 11 wins in Big 12 play – matching its total from last season.
Another victory on Saturday to finish that four-game stretch at 4-0, and the Cyclones’ NCAA Tournament chances will take an even bigger jump to the green.
“We’re super excited,” Brown said. “We really want to finish this four-game calendar for (coach Fennelly), we’re determined to do so, Saturday.”
Iowa State will close out its regular season with senior day on Saturday, as Cincinnati comes to town for a 1 p.m. matchup.
