With 2:17 to go, No. 7 Iowa State trailed Northern Iowa 85-83. The Cyclones had been taking pictures lights out for 3 quarters, however the workforce’s main scorers went chilly. 

As junior Emily Ryan walked the ball up the courtroom, the Panther crowd roared. Iowa State was on the ropes once more towards Northern Iowa, and it was at risk of seeing an undefeated file go up in smoke. 

The ball crossed half-court, and sophomore Denae Fritz set a display on the prime of the important thing, liberating up Ryan to bury a wide-open triple–Iowa State with the lead. 

A vital cease on the different finish gave the Cyclones the ball again. After a cross-court cross, Ryan acquired the ball on the free-throw line, pulling down a mid-range jumper. A collection of stops stored the Cyclone lead intact as time ran out. 

Iowa State survives.

The shut sport was not something uncommon over the previous few years. Northern Iowa has been a relentless thorn in Iowa State’s facet, hanging with the Cyclones every time the 2 groups sq. off.  

Iowa State was examined in its first highway sport of the season, ultimately securing the win 88-85. Whereas they didn’t depart unscathed, the Cyclones overcame one other difficult early season matchup. 

Cyclones escape

In years previous, Iowa State has struggled towards its in-state rival. The Cyclones squeaked out a one-point victory towards Northern Iowa at residence final season. In 2019, the Panthers gained the matchup outright, 71-63. 

“I believe individuals will most likely query your sanity in enjoying these video games,” head coach Invoice Fennelly stated previous to the matchup.

Northern Iowa has persistently been a well-prepared, bodily opponent for Iowa State, and with the sport happening in Cedar Falls, the Cyclones wanted to play at their finest. 

Regardless of some back-and-forth early within the first half, Iowa State started to run away with the sport. The Cyclones swiftly constructed a lead within the second and third quarters, making a 14-point hole with 9:29 left within the third. 

However, a sustained run from Northern Iowa introduced the Panthers again in rivalry. They took the lead with 4:09 to go, swinging momentum of their favor. 

Had it not been for a miraculous bounce on a triple from junior Lexi Donarski or the pair of clutch photographs from Ryan, Iowa State can be going through a loss three video games into the season. However as a substitute, Iowa State managed to tug away, holding off a Northern Iowa workforce hungry for an upset. 

Improved taking pictures

After a poor taking pictures efficiency towards Southern, Iowa State bounced again with considered one of its finest taking pictures nights all season. The Cyclones have been constant behind the arc, and a high-powered offensive efficiency helped mitigate Northern Iowa’s scoring skill. 

The Panthers shot the ball successfully, going 32-58 from the sector. With a purpose to keep away from an early season upset, Iowa State needed to put up factors as properly. 

The Cyclones shot 50%, together with 15 makes from the three-point line. The efficiency was an enormous enchancment from its 42.3% from the sector towards Southern. Senior Ashley Joens bounced again as properly, main the workforce with 26 factors, adopted carefully by senior Stephanie Soares with 23. 

Though Iowa State shot higher towards Northern Iowa, there was a stretch within the fourth quarter the place the Cyclones struggled to discover a basket. The run of offensive inefficiency practically price Iowa State the sport, as Northern Iowa mounted a comeback. 

Struggle till the tip

The heated in-state matchup noticed loads of tugs, fouls

and gamers crashing to the bottom. Northern Iowa was essentially the most bodily workforce Iowa State has confronted to date, serving to to stop the Cyclones from operating away with the sport. 

The Panthers chipped away at Iowa State beneath the basket, racking up 15 private fouls within the course of. Whereas the fixed fouls slowed down Iowa State’s offensive rhythm, the Cyclones made up for it on the free-throw line, making 11 of 13 makes an attempt. 

Not like in earlier years, Iowa State was in a position to answer the abuse with some physicality of its personal. Soares and Ryan each had a pair of blocks, and the Cyclones earned seven takeaways. 

Northern Iowa’s fixed stress challenged Iowa State at instances, however the workforce was in a position to reply. Though they have been pushed to the brink, the Cyclones escaped with a hard-fought, slender win over their in-state rival.