The following is a press release courtesy of Iowa State athletics communications.
MANHATTAN, Kan. – The No. 13 Iowa State women’s basketball team (14-3, 3-3 Big 12) fell on the road Saturday night to Kansas State (8-9 overall, 2-4 Big 12), 80-74. Junior Brynn Williamson led the Cyclones with 17 points, knocking down three shots from behind the arc.
Iowa State had a late comeback sparked by a barrage of 3-pointers and free throws. The Cyclones’ closed the gap to 77-74 with 33 seconds left after freshman Seanna Johnson hit a three-pointer on a full-court pass from junior Kidd Blaskowsky. Johnson finished the game with a career-high three 3-pointers.
The Wildcats iced the upset, however, with superb shooting from the charity stripe down the stretch, as they went 13-of-18 from the line in the final 2:06.
How It Happened:
The Cyclones couldn’t by a bucket in the early goings of the game, and the Wildcats took advantage, opening a 13-point lead with in the final three minutes of the first half. A late three-pointer by Blaskowsky cut the deficit, and the Cyclones trailed 30-22 at halftime.
The shooting woes continued for ISU after the break, as KSU led by 11 for most of the second half. The Wildcats’ led by 16 with 3:30 left in the game before the Cyclones’ hit five 3-pointers. Iowa State finished the game 12-of-29 (41.4%) from deep and 22-of-26 (84.6%) from the free-throw line.
Game Ball Goes To…
Kidd Blaskowsky. Blaskowsky’s number was called late, as freshman Jadda Buckley and junior Nikki Moody both fouled out of the game. She answered the call scoring 16 points off the bench on 4-of-9 shooting from deep. Tonight was her sixth game in double figures this season and seventh game with at least three three-pointers.
Quick Hits:
*ISU extended its NCAA-record three-point streak to 598 games.
*ISU has made 10 or more 3-pointers 10 times this season.
*ISU trailed at halftime for the second time this season.
*ISU has had an even or positive rebounding margin in 16 of 17 games (+6 tonight).
*This was ISU’s first loss in Manhattan and first regular-season loss to Kansas State since Jan. 31, 2010.
Next Up:
Iowa State returns to Hilton Coliseum to take on Oklahoma on Tuesday at 6 p.m. on FS1.
