ISU drops game at Texas Tech
The Iowa State women's basketball team has spent the entire Big 12 Conference season battling back from deficits while taking down all of its opponents.
But on Wednesday the Cyclones fell into a hole that even they couldn't climb out of.
Iowa State for nearly the entire game and suffered its first setback of the Big 12 campaign with a 71-63 loss at Texas Tech. The Cyclones fell to 12-5 on the season and 6-1 in Big 12 play.
It's the first loss for the Cyclones since falling to Iowa on Dec. 6. Since that game against the Hawkeyes, the Cyclones have overcome sluggish starts, inconsistent quarters and ugly finishes without losing.
But it finally caught up to them Wednesday with Texas Tech starting strong and holding off every run Iowa State went on to get back in the game. The Cyclones led for just 45 seconds of game action, all of which came late in the second quarter.
The Lady Raiders, who improved to 14-5 on the season and 3-3 in Big 12 play, got a huge 3-pointer at the end of the second quarter from Bailey Maupin to go up 34-29. The lead grew to 14 in the fourth quarter.
But like Iowa State has done so many times this season, the Cyclones tried to battle back. They took advantage of a cold streak of shooting from Texas Tech and cut the lead to six on a pair of free throws by Kelsey Joens with 36 seconds remaining.
That was as close as it got down the stretch for the Cyclones, though. Emily Ryan scored 18 points and tallied five assists for Iowa State. Audi Crooks added 14 points and 12 rebounds.
The day wasn't a complete loss for the Cyclones. Iowa State did pick up a win earlier in the day when the Big 12 announced that Saturday's game with Texas Christian was canceled due to the Horned Frogs not having enough players.
The cancellation gave Iowa State an immediate win in league play but the victory didn't count toward its overall record. That gives Iowa State an extended wait until its next game, which comes on Jan. 24 at Kansas.