Cyclones hit 'lucky' 58 in win vs. Drake
By BRANDON CLEAVER • Register Staff Writer • December 10, 2007
LINK
Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly found humor in his team's back-to-back low- scoring wins against in-state rivals.
"Fifty-eight back-to-back, I guess that's our lucky number," said Fennelly, whose Iowa State women's basketball team defeated Drake 58-51 Sunday, four days after beating Iowa 58-44. "We've got to get that up a little bit, but at least this week 58 was a good number."
Iowa State's 58 points in front of an announced crowd of 3,671 at the Knapp Center were the fewest points scored by a winning team in this rivalry since 1992.
Although Fennelly joked about the low scoring output, his team's ability to win despite offensive troubles was no laughing matter.
Iowa State (6-1) has been primarily known for its 3-point prowess. But in the week's two games against familiar opponents, the Cyclones made a total of five 3-pointers.
"That's odd for our team," Fennelly said. "I'm proud of the way our team found a way to win ugly."
At the 3:55 mark of the second half, Iowa State led Drake 43-42. Up to that point, the Cyclones had connected on one 3-pointer by freshman guard Kelsey Bolte, who was in her first collegiate start.
After a timeout, Alison Lacey, who was 0-of-8 at the time, hit a 3-pointer. Drake (5-4) countered with a 3-point basket by Lindsay Whorton, who finished with seven points.
Iowa State then hit another 3-pointer by Amanda Nisleit, who on the Cyclones' next possession picked up a foul plus the basket.
Prior to that 3-pointer by Nisleit, she was 0-for-3.
"I knew we all had to step up as a team and individually," she said.
Drake had guarded Iowa State's 3-point shooters well up to the last few minutes of the second half, holding them to 1-for-11 from 3-point range. But the Cyclones took advantage of their size throughout the game, scoring 34 points in the paint to Drake's 12.
The Cyclones haven't been outrebounded all year, topping the Bulldogs 44-33. Drake has allowed at least 30 points in the paint in six of its eight games this season.
"You really have to just go with where the defense is going," said Nicky Wieben, who led the Cyclones with 16 points and nine rebounds.
To counter its recent lack of offense, Iowa State has improved its defense. The Cyclones held senior Jill Martin to five points on 1-of-7 shooting. Martin came into the matchup as the leading scorer and rebounder in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Iowa State constantly had someone guarding Martin, and consistently switched on screens. But when this exchange occurred, the Bulldogs weren't able to capitalize on mismatches, such as a guard defending Martin.
Even without Martin's offense, Drake began the game well and after falling behind, took the lead late in the second half.
"We can win without Jill and Lindsay scoring," Drake coach Amy Stephens said. "We gave ourselves a chance tonight against a Big 12 school."
Martin did put her imprint on the game defensively. She forced Toccara Ross into three charges. Ross hurt Drake last year, scoring 23 points. On Sunday, she had three points.
"Jill did a good job of forcing her into taking shots she's not used to shooting," said Monique' Jones, who finished with nine points and six rebounds.