WBB: Cyclones fall after late comeback comes up short

After trailing by 13 points in the second half, the Iowa State women had the basketball and trailed 65-63 with 21 seconds to go against St. Mary’s on Saturday. Senior guard Nikki Moody was able to get the rim but could not convert the lay-up giving the Gaels the ball and eventually, a 67-63 win.

 With the loss, the Cyclones fell to 4-1 on the season and finished 1-1 on their trip to Moraga, Calif. for the St. Mary’s Thanksgiving Tournament.

 With 10 minutes to play in the game, the Cyclones trailed 52-39 but a free throw by Moody started an 11-0 run that got Iowa State back into the game. Iowa State would take their first lead of the game with 4:36 to go on a layup by freshman Emily Durr.

 The game was back and forth for several minutes before a 3-pointer by St. Mary’s guard Lauren Nicholson and a layup by Iowa State junior forward Seanna Johnson made it 65-63 and set up the Cyclones’ last play.

 Iowa State was led in scoring by senior forward Brynn Williamson, who finished with 14 points and 8 rebounds, but was only 4-14 from the field, and 4-12 from three point range.

 As a team the, Cyclones shot a season worst 36 percent from the field and 31 percent from 3-point range.

 Johnson, 12 points and five rebounds, and Durr, 10 points, were the other Cyclones in double-figures scoring on the afternoon.

 The Iowa State women will be back in action Sunday, Dec. 7, when Stony Brook comes to Hilton Coliseum for a 1 p.m. tip.