Iowa State was downed by Kansas Wednesday 98-83, despite putting up the second highest point total of the season as a team.
The team went on a late run in the game to come back from being down by 16 points, but wasn’t able to finish things off at Phog Allen Fieldhouse.
“Anyone that knows me, I’m not into moral victories at all,” Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly said on the Cyclone Radio Network. “We just couldn’t guard them. We tried everything.”
Kansas was able to get by Iowa State’s defenders, using its size and much-improved offense over the past few years.
Emily Ryan only played 31 minutes – which is a lot for a normal player – due to foul trouble. That deviates from her usual 40 minutes from the floor.
“We’ve got to quit fouling,” Fennelly said on the radio broadcast. “When there’s size on the other team, and when we get into foul trouble, we’re in trouble.”
Ashley Joens led the team with 33 points and five rebounds.
Denae Fritz finished the game with a career high 26 points, as well as five rebounds in 39 minutes on the court.
“I just shot it with confidence and (the shots) fell tonight,” Fritz said. I just think that’s good offense, finding the right player that’s hot.”
With the loss, Iowa State falls to 10-7 in Big 12 play, falling into a three-way tie for third place in the conference.
The tiebreaker scenarios for Iowa State suggests that if Oklahoma State and Baylor end the season in a tie, the Cyclones would be the No. 4 seed in the Big 12 tournament.
“We have to look at it and say, ‘we can beat every team in this league,'” Fennelly said. “‘And every team can beat us.'”
The Cyclones will finish the regular season with a matchup against Texas Tech on Saturday (3:00 p.m. ESPN+) at Hilton Coliseum.
Big 12 Standings
1. Texas 13-4
1. Oklahoma 13-4
3. Iowa State 10-7
3. Oklahoma State 10-7
3. Baylor 10-7
6. West Virginia 9-8
7. Kansas 8-9
8. Texas Tech 6-11
9. Kansas State 5-12
10. TCU 1-16
