No. 8 Iowa State was handed its first loss by No. 6 North Carolina Sunday night time. The Cyclones will look to have a bounce-back taking pictures efficiency towards Southern Illinois College Edwardsville Tuesday after a stretch of offensive ineptitude. 

For the primary time this season, Iowa State was outmatched bodily, letting slip a 53-45 lead headed into the fourth quarter. A 14-0 North Carolina run helped the Tar Heels bounce out in entrance, and a 9-0 run to finish the sport sealed the deal, 73-64. 

Though the Cyclones are constructed to shore up the physicality weak spot that has plagued them in years previous, the problem reared its ugly head Sunday, permitting a North Carolina comeback whereas Iowa State struggled to attain. 

“They’re very bodily on the ball,” head coach Invoice Fennelly mentioned following the loss. “They have been good at their on-ball protection. They double-teamed us after we drove in, however that’s the extent of basketball that you just see at this degree.” 

North Carolina’s defensive peril restricted Iowa State’s shot-making capacity all through the sport. Each groups opened chilly, going 3-17 mixed to begin the sport. The Cyclones discovered sufficient of a rhythm to take a 17-point lead, however when the protection clamped down, Iowa State couldn’t rediscover its taking pictures stroke. 

Senior Stephanie Soares led the Cyclones with 19 factors, making an influence down low. However, the remainder of the group struggled to attain, with senior Ashley Joens being the one backcourt participant to succeed in double-figures with 18 factors. 

“I believe we had some children that missed a pair and determined (they) weren’t gonna shoot it,” Fennelly mentioned. 

Taking pictures hassle has been an issue early within the 12 months, however the Cyclones have additionally had notable offensive performances, together with an 88-point effort when dealing with Northern Iowa, 99 factors towards Columbia and 80 factors versus Michigan State within the first spherical of the Phil Knight Invitational. 

The lack to make photographs late and get vital stops when essential led the Cyclones to their first lack of the season. 

Iowa State will look to show round quick, taking up SIUE Tuesday night time. The Cougars gained’t be rather more than a tune-up recreation for Iowa State, as they’ve but to seek out their first win of the season. 

With a difficult schedule forward, in addition to a visit to Iowa Metropolis looming, the Cyclones must rediscover their offensive rhythm. 

“We’ll see how we reply,” Fennelly mentioned. “I really like our group; I really like the management of our group. I’d be shocked if we’re not able to go Tuesday.”

Iowa State will tackle SIUE 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Hilton Coliseum.