Iowa State gets by No. 6 Texas

AUSTIN, Texas — Iowa State missed the NCAA Women’s Tournament last season after a nine-year run. On Friday night, the Cyclones took a big step toward making a return.

Seanna Johnson scored 22 points, including 10 straight for the Cyclones in the third quarter, and they upset No. 6 Texas 70-66 Friday for their fourth straight victory.

Down two with seven minutes remaining, Iowa State (17-11, 8-9 Big 12) took control with a 9-0 run.

“That’s one of the biggest wins we’ve had in a long time,” coach Bill Fennelly said. “Texas is a Final Four caliber team.”

Bridget Carleton scored 18 points for Iowa State, including a 3-pointer from well behind the line just before time ran out in the third quarter after making a steal. But Carleton committed two turnovers in the final minute to give Texas an opportunity.

The Longhorns (21-7, 14-3) had a chance to tie it after the second turnover, but Carlton blocked Ariel Atkins’ driving shot with nine seconds left and then made two free throws.

Jadda Buckley added 14 points for Iowa State.

Texas has lost three straight for the first time this season after a 19-game winning streak.

“I’m concerned,” Texas coach Karen Aston said. “I have to be. I’m the coach. It’s my responsibility if we played like we did tonight. We didn’t play with (consistent) urgency. They had some urgency. They’re on the (NCAA) bubble.”

Brooke McCarty led the Longhorns with 12 points, Brianna Taylor added 11, and Joyner Holmes and Alecia Sutton had 10 apiece.

Iowa State is renowned for its 3-point shooting, and the Cyclones hit 8 of 20 against Texas. But they used that threat to set up drives to the basket and score 28 points in the paint.

“I made a couple of threes, that forced them to come out on me and gave me driving lanes,” Johnson said.

“It surprised me that we never made any adjustments,” Aston said. “We talked repeatedly about trying to take better angles, helping each other a little bit more down the stretch.”