WBB: Cyclones fall short in Lubbock

The following is a press release courtesy of Iowa State athletics communications. 

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State (9-5, 0-3 Big 12) fell at Texas Tech (10-4, 2-1 Big 12) by a score of 75-66 on Wednesday night. Seanna Johnson led the Cyclones with 16 points and six rebounds, but it was not enough as Texas Tech outscored ISU 28-15 in the fourth quarter for the come-from-behind win.

How it Happened

Johnson carried the offensive load for Iowa State in an up-and-down first quarter. The senior guard put on a shooting clinic, splashing home her first three 3-point attempts in the early going, and the Cyclones raced out to a 15-8 lead just 5:11 into the game. The Red Raiders responded with a quick 11-0 run to retake the lead before a strong finish to the quarter by ISU. Johnson knocked down her fourth triple of the quarter as time expired to give the Cyclones a 20-19 lead.

Adriana Camber was the story of the second quarter, with head coach Bill Fennelly it’s decision to insert the freshman forward into the game paying immediate dividends. Camber scored nine points in the quarter on 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the 3-point arc in eight minutes of action in the stanza. Iowa State went through a 1-of-8 shooting stretch late in the half, but once again closed with a flurry on back-to-back threes from Bridget Carleton and Jadda Buckley in their final two possessions of the quarter. Iowa State took a 37-30 lead into the locker room behind 12 points from Johnson.

Iowa State had trouble scoring after coming out of the locker room, making just four of its first 14 shots following the intermission. Texas Tech clawed its way back and knotted the game at 47-47 with 1:03 to play before yet another late-quarter surge by the Cyclones. Buckley knocked down a jumper followed by a Johnson layup to give ISU a four-point lead. Johnson got a steal and appeared to connect on another layup as time expired, but the basket was waved off and the Cyclones led 51-47 with 10 minutes to play.

The Red Raiders punched back with a strong fourth quarter, outscoring Iowa State 28-15 in the stanza. The Cyclones shot 6-of-18 in the quarter, including a crucial stretch in which ISU was just 1-of-8 while TTU went 5-of-6 from the field.

Cyclone Player of the Game

Seanna Johnson. The senior guard scored a team-high 16 points with four 3-pointers. She also added six rebounds, tying for the team lead. Johnson was critical to Iowa State’s fast start, putting up 12 points in the opening quarter.

Cyclone Quick Notes

*Iowa State extended its NCAA-record streak to 687 games with a made 3-pointer.

*Seanna Johnson moves up to 13th in career scoring (1,410), passing Chelsea Poppens (1,400).

*Jadda Buckley had her 44th career game with five or more assists (10th of the season).

*Adriana Camber made a career-high three three-pointers.

Up Next

The Cyclones return to Hilton Coliseum on Sunday, Jan. 8 to take on Kansas. Tip time is set for 1 p.m. CT on ESPNU.