First half was frustrating based on the UT defense which picked up several blocked shots as we drove the lane. We weren't finding the open offensive player when they double teamed our player. On the defensive end the ladies held their own and the score was stuck on 12-7 for several minutes. No one could get free from deep and this was a huge key to limiting the Cyclones. Since we couldn't go inside and couldn't get open outside it was tough going. When the guards did try to pass to the posts it seemed like they couldn't handle the pass and turned it over.
Nakiah was getting lots of minutes as Nikki's ankle was clearly bothering her. She seemed more comfortable this game than last. The ladies would keep it close even as points started to be scored. The defense by both teams was getting the job done. When UT went on a little scoring run to open up a 7 point lead, Brynn answered with a trey. But just as quickly UT out hustled ISU on two possessions and moved back ahead by 7 with about 4 to play. Unfortunately, UT was being very efficient and scored on 8 straight possessions while the sisters started to miss. It would extend what was a close game to 9 with two minutes to play. Moody would tough it out drawing a foul and hitting the harm to pull within 7. They had a chance to draw closer when Brynn threw the ball out of bounds. Halftime score UT 36-29.
The second half was a lot of offensive frustration as the teams fought back and forth. The ladies kept pace, which wasn't real tough considering the lack of scoring. But they were hanging around staying within 4-5 points through the first ten minutes. They closed thanks to a couple of three pointers! The big key was the sisters getting in the bonus with 12 to go. They were exemplary from the line and it often made up for the lack of offensive output. Seanna would get fouled on the offensive end and pull the ladies within three at the 9 minute mark. Then Fallon followed up with a score and harm after an outstanding assist from Nikki. The game was tied at 46.
What was impressive was the rebounding effort by the ladies. They were limiting the Longhorns to one and done and it was paying dividends. Kidd would make a steal and beat two defenders to the hoop for a go ahead bucket with 8 left. Then the bad started happening. Both Fallon and Bre would pick up their fourth fouls. What was going to happen at the post?
Several,trips down the court the ladies had a chance to open the lead, but would miss each time. Texas would do the same at their end and rebounding by both teams on the defensive end kept those as one and done possessions. With 4 to play the ladies clung to a one point lead 50-49.
Ellis would be the three point shooter with wide open shots and would miss and miss again. She would go up strong for a two and UT would counter with a trey. It was getting crazy with two to play and UT up by 2.
Just when it seemed like Texas was pulling away as they had a four point lead with under a minute to play the ladies scratched back again. They made Texas pay from the foul line and would eventually pull within one at 57-56 on a nice layin by Bre and a great assist by Moody. Texas would turn the ball over on the inbounds and the sisters had a chance. Kidd would miss a wide open layup would would tie up UT and give ISU another chance. Moody would put the ladies up by one from the foul line with 17 tics to go. A miss and huge rebound by Bre would ice the game and give ISU a sweep of Texas and sole possession of third place in the Big 12. Impressive win by the sisters on the road 58-57. A near mirror image of game one and we'll take it!
Observations
POG no doubt. This has to be Moody. She is gutting it out on a gimpy ankle and is taking this team on her back. She has played some outstanding ball since the Baylor game and has this team headed in the right direction. 14 points, 5 assists, 1 turnover.
Runner up would be Seanna. It sounds like a re-run but she just keeps getting it done. 13 points and 6 boards.
Rebounding. Texas had a commanding lead on the boards, but it sure seemed like the sisters got the important ones. They seemed really strong especially in the second half.
What one the game? No doubt. Free throws. The ladies got to the line 22 times and hit 17. This is what you have to do playing a physical opponent.
The three-pointer didn't win the ballgame for us, but those two partway through the second half couldn't of been more important as they pulled us ever closer to the Longhorns.
Time for the ladies to come back home for a game with Kansas next Wednesday. After starting the big 12 season off with five straight losses, Kansas is beaten Texas Tech and West Virginia. Should be an interesting matchup at home, see you there.
Nakiah was getting lots of minutes as Nikki's ankle was clearly bothering her. She seemed more comfortable this game than last. The ladies would keep it close even as points started to be scored. The defense by both teams was getting the job done. When UT went on a little scoring run to open up a 7 point lead, Brynn answered with a trey. But just as quickly UT out hustled ISU on two possessions and moved back ahead by 7 with about 4 to play. Unfortunately, UT was being very efficient and scored on 8 straight possessions while the sisters started to miss. It would extend what was a close game to 9 with two minutes to play. Moody would tough it out drawing a foul and hitting the harm to pull within 7. They had a chance to draw closer when Brynn threw the ball out of bounds. Halftime score UT 36-29.
The second half was a lot of offensive frustration as the teams fought back and forth. The ladies kept pace, which wasn't real tough considering the lack of scoring. But they were hanging around staying within 4-5 points through the first ten minutes. They closed thanks to a couple of three pointers! The big key was the sisters getting in the bonus with 12 to go. They were exemplary from the line and it often made up for the lack of offensive output. Seanna would get fouled on the offensive end and pull the ladies within three at the 9 minute mark. Then Fallon followed up with a score and harm after an outstanding assist from Nikki. The game was tied at 46.
What was impressive was the rebounding effort by the ladies. They were limiting the Longhorns to one and done and it was paying dividends. Kidd would make a steal and beat two defenders to the hoop for a go ahead bucket with 8 left. Then the bad started happening. Both Fallon and Bre would pick up their fourth fouls. What was going to happen at the post?
Several,trips down the court the ladies had a chance to open the lead, but would miss each time. Texas would do the same at their end and rebounding by both teams on the defensive end kept those as one and done possessions. With 4 to play the ladies clung to a one point lead 50-49.
Ellis would be the three point shooter with wide open shots and would miss and miss again. She would go up strong for a two and UT would counter with a trey. It was getting crazy with two to play and UT up by 2.
Just when it seemed like Texas was pulling away as they had a four point lead with under a minute to play the ladies scratched back again. They made Texas pay from the foul line and would eventually pull within one at 57-56 on a nice layin by Bre and a great assist by Moody. Texas would turn the ball over on the inbounds and the sisters had a chance. Kidd would miss a wide open layup would would tie up UT and give ISU another chance. Moody would put the ladies up by one from the foul line with 17 tics to go. A miss and huge rebound by Bre would ice the game and give ISU a sweep of Texas and sole possession of third place in the Big 12. Impressive win by the sisters on the road 58-57. A near mirror image of game one and we'll take it!
Observations
POG no doubt. This has to be Moody. She is gutting it out on a gimpy ankle and is taking this team on her back. She has played some outstanding ball since the Baylor game and has this team headed in the right direction. 14 points, 5 assists, 1 turnover.
Runner up would be Seanna. It sounds like a re-run but she just keeps getting it done. 13 points and 6 boards.
Rebounding. Texas had a commanding lead on the boards, but it sure seemed like the sisters got the important ones. They seemed really strong especially in the second half.
What one the game? No doubt. Free throws. The ladies got to the line 22 times and hit 17. This is what you have to do playing a physical opponent.
The three-pointer didn't win the ballgame for us, but those two partway through the second half couldn't of been more important as they pulled us ever closer to the Longhorns.
Time for the ladies to come back home for a game with Kansas next Wednesday. After starting the big 12 season off with five straight losses, Kansas is beaten Texas Tech and West Virginia. Should be an interesting matchup at home, see you there.
