(Ames, IA) — Iowa St. women’s basketball team used a strong 2nd quarter to get by Kansas St. 76-72 in a Big 12 game on Sunday afternoon.
After ISU built a 15-11 lead, K-State kept it close by quickly tying it up. The Wildcats actually took a 20-18 lead on 2 free throws from Aniya Foy and led 20-19 at the end of the first quarter.
Arianna Jackson started the 2nd period with a three for the Cyclones, K St got two buckets in a row but Reese Beaty made a driving lay up for Iowa St to tie it at 24-24. After a Gina Garcia got a lay up, Sydney Harris drilled a triple to spark a 9-0 run. Iowa St. would lead 37-30 at the break.
The Wildcats would continue to hang around the entire 2nd half — they trailed by three but Jackson hit another big three to make it 40-34. The lead was cut to two but Audi Crooks got it inside for a lay up. ISU pushed their lead to 10 54-44 but a 5-0 Wildcat run got them back in it. ISU would lead 56-49 at the end of three quarters.
The Cyclones pushed their lead to 13 early in the 4th but a 5-0 K State run got them back within shouting distance. Taryn Sides hit a three for the Wildcats to cut the lead to 67-64 with 4:09 left but Iowa St. went back inside to Crooks who made two free throws. After 1-2 FT from Tess Heal for K St, Garcia cut the lead again to two with a 13 footer and Heal was fouled again with a chance to tie but only made 1-2 free throws. With a 69-68 lead, Kenzie Hare hit a huge three pointer for ISU with 56 seconds left to make it 72-68. After a lay up from Garcia, Williams converted four free throws down the stretch to clinch it.
Williams led Iowa St. (20-6, 8-6) with 22 points while Crooks poured in 20. Jackson added 11.
Kansas St. (14-13, 7-7) was led by Sides with 23 points.
