Iowa State sustains second-half rally to upset No. 15 Cowgirls

C.John · 02-17-2008, 09:38 PM

International Herald Tribune LINK

With close losses starting to pile up, Iowa State got just the kind of win it needed for its NCAA tournament resume. Alison Lacey scored 15 points and Heather Ezell added 12, including the go-ahead free throws with 41.1 seconds left, as the Cyclones sustained a second-half rally by No. 15 Oklahoma State and beat the Cowgirls 62-57 on Sunday.
"This is huge on the road against a ranked team," Ezell said. "It's hard to do, especially in our league with the way that everybody's been playing at home. It'll be a great win for us and hopefully can build for us for the rest of the season."
The Cyclones (16-8, 5-6 Big 12) let a 13-point second-half lead slip away before getting it together in the final 2 minutes.
Ezell, who was fouled on the Cyclones' second straight offensive rebound, hit two foul shots to put Iowa State ahead 55-54 and the Cowgirls (20-4, 8-3) couldn't respond.

Andrea Riley, the Big 12's leading scorer, missed a layup on Oklahoma State's next possession and then flopped after heaving a long 3-pointer from the edge of the midcourt logo following two more free throws by freshman Kelsey Bolte.
Lacey added two free throws to stretch the lead to 59-54 before Riley sank a long 3 from the right wing to give Oklahoma State one last chance.
Iowa State was able to inbound the ball to Lacey, who was fouled and hit one free throw with 3.3 seconds left, and 5-foot-8 guard Denae Stuckey put back the second foul shot to provide the final margin.
Bolte finished with 12 points and Amanda Nisleit hit a career-high three 3-pointers and scored all 11 of her points in the first half for Iowa State, which improved to 1-4 in games decided by five points or less this season. It was the second time the Cyclones have upset a Top 25 team on the road this year.

LINK to rest of article

cyking · 02-17-2008, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by C.John

International Herald Tribune LINK

With close losses starting to pile up, Iowa State got just the kind of win it needed for its NCAA tournament resume. Alison Lacey scored 15 points and Heather Ezell added 12, including the go-ahead free throws with 41.1 seconds left, as the Cyclones sustained a second-half rally by No. 15 Oklahoma State and beat the Cowgirls 62-57 on Sunday.
"This is huge on the road against a ranked team," Ezell said. "It's hard to do, especially in our league with the way that everybody's been playing at home. It'll be a great win for us and hopefully can build for us for the rest of the season."
The Cyclones (16-8, 5-6 Big 12) let a 13-point second-half lead slip away before getting it together in the final 2 minutes.
Ezell, who was fouled on the Cyclones' second straight offensive rebound, hit two foul shots to put Iowa State ahead 55-54 and the Cowgirls (20-4, 8-3) couldn't respond.

Andrea Riley, the Big 12's leading scorer, missed a layup on Oklahoma State's next possession and then flopped after heaving a long 3-pointer from the edge of the midcourt logo following two more free throws by freshman Kelsey Bolte.
Lacey added two free throws to stretch the lead to 59-54 before Riley sank a long 3 from the right wing to give Oklahoma State one last chance.
Iowa State was able to inbound the ball to Lacey, who was fouled and hit one free throw with 3.3 seconds left, and 5-foot-8 guard Denae Stuckey put back the second foul shot to provide the final margin.
Bolte finished with 12 points and Amanda Nisleit hit a career-high three 3-pointers and scored all 11 of her points in the first half for Iowa State, which improved to 1-4 in games decided by five points or less this season. It was the second time the Cyclones have upset a Top 25 team on the road this year.

LINK to rest of article

What is the other Top 25 team that we beat this year?

bigredqb7 · 02-17-2008, 09:51 PM

i think colorado was ranked when we beat them in boulder

mjones34 · 02-17-2008, 09:57 PM

We have two really tough games ahead of us, then a couple easier ones. If we can get the ones we're supposed to get and a couple in the big 12 tourney, we should be dancing.

MidwestZest · 02-17-2008, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by bigredqb7

i think colorado was ranked when we beat them in boulder

yeah, they were ranked 23rd in the AP, NR in the usa today/epsn

LindenCy · 02-17-2008, 10:57 PM

Just imagine if we could have pulled out the KU and KSU games...we would be in really good shape.

MidwestZest · 02-17-2008, 10:59 PM

and at texas. we lost that lead with like, 24 seconds to go....

C.John · 02-17-2008, 11:04 PM

Too many could haves should haves this season. We have come up agonizingly short more than once this season. The next few games will be tough, but I've got faith in Coach and the Sisters.

singsing · 02-17-2008, 11:09 PM

Hate to say it, but we're going to be loaded next year. I know it's the next year thing, but with Wieben and Ross returning the team is going to be stacked.

ISUCyclones · 02-17-2008, 11:14 PM

Originally Posted by singsing

Hate to say it, but we're going to be loaded next year. I know it's the next year thing, but with Wieben and Ross returning the team is going to be stacked.

Not saying we won't be successful this year. Just wanted to say singsing is right, we will be awesome next year.

MidwestZest · 02-17-2008, 11:17 PM

besides - we're doing well with nicky out of the line up. jocelyn gets better and better every game. It'll rock having her, ross, AND nicky. and kelsey bolte - the new face of isu women's basketball :-)

Phaedrus · 02-17-2008, 11:20 PM

Nice to hear the Twister Sisters are still winning.

I was once critical of Coach Fennelly, when it appeared he was not adapting to the more physical play of other teams, but I retract those earlier statements, and then some. To succeed like this, when your team is riddled with injuries and playing with a short bench is the true indicator of great coaching and player development.

These women will be awesome next year. Heck, they're awesome THIS year.

Clones85' · 02-17-2008, 11:24 PM

Originally Posted by Phaedrus

Nice to hear the Twister Sisters are still winning.

I was once critical of Coach Fennelly, when it appeared he was not adapting to the more physical play of other teams, but I retract those earlier statements, and then some. To succeed like this, when your team is riddled with injuries and playing with a short bench is the true indicator of great coaching and player development.

These women will be awesome next year. Heck, they're awesome THIS year.

You were critical of Coach?!?! Shame on you!

IMO he is the best coach ISU has ever had....in any sport....ever

singsing · 02-17-2008, 11:47 PM

Yeah, I didn't want to knock what the ladies were doing this year. Their performances this year just added to my optimism for next year. Bill is doing a great job with the program. Hope to see some championships out of him in the upcoming years to solidify himself as one of the better coaches in the women's ranks.