WBB: Cyclones lose to TCU on poor shooting night

AMES — The box score clearly paints the picture for how Iowa State’s (10-12, 3-8) bout went vs. TCU (16-5, 7-3) on Wednesday evening in Hilton Coliseum.  It was pure domination by the Horned Frogs from start to finish, resulting in a 72 to 55 Cyclone defeat.

All season long, the Cyclones have been searching for that second option behind Bridget Carleton. While Emily Durr has recently shown that she is that player, the rest of the team has continued to struggle offensively. Carleton and Durr finished with 33 of the 52 total points for ISU.

“You can’t win any level, maybe in high school, with two players,” Bill Fennelly said. ” You can look at any stat you want. We had two kids that gave us a chance, they didn’t get any help, and as a result, you’re going to struggle.”

In the first three quarters, Iowa State failed to put together a run of any kind, partially due to TCU’s decision to double-team Carleton and Durr on nearly every possession.

“We had kids that didn’t want the ball,” Fennelly said. “When Bridget’s triple-teamed, and she throws it to someone, you got to make a shot, make a play.”

The Cyclones didn’t quit to start the fourth. Threes by both Adriana Camber and Rae Johnson capped off a 10-0 run to start the final period but after their lone bright moment in the game, the Cyclones subsequently went cold by going without a bucket for over seven minutes. Iowa State only scoring on one more occasion in the final period.

The absence of Bride Kennedy-Hopoate, who missed the game with a foot injury, didn’t help either.  Claire Ricketts got the start in her place and added a needed presence on the glass. Still, Iowa State was dominated in the paint, where TCU standout Jordan Moore did most of her work in a 25 point performance.

“We don’t have a great record and they [fans] still come out for every game,” said Durr. “We all have shooting slumps. You just have to work your way through it.”

Final Notes

– ISU used it’s 13th different starting lineup this season vs. TCU.

– Emily Durr tied her own season high of 21 points.

– Bridget Carleton now ranks 20th in ISU history in points scored, passing Jadda Buckley.