ISU/DRAKE

[Cyclones Rule]

ISU lost to Drake tonight 63-61. I am begining to see that ISU will struggle. Lindsey Wilson had to sit much of the first half with 2 fouls and we had to play Megan McCracken. We had 19 turnovers with 13 in the first half. We were 4-23 from 3-point and still had a chance to win or tie with 2.6 left but Lindsey lost track of time and didn't get a shot off.

Some bright notes:

Anne O'Neil came off the bench to lead ISU in scoring with 16 points and had 6 rebounds.

Lisa Kriener had 11 points and 6 rebounds and played good defense on Drake's all-american center Carla Bennett.

[carolann]

Tough loss, Cyclone fans. A very 'un-Iowa-State' looking game from what I've read. Everyone knew Carla Bennett would be a tough match-up inside. While it's not that bad, losing to Drake early in the season, I'm a little afraid the conference is going to pay for these early season losses next March when teams are chosen for the NCAA tournament.

[Cycurl714]

I hate to say this but I wasn't all that surprised with the result of this game. Drake has an amazing amount of talent on its roster. It returns All American Carla Bennett at the post along with Maureen Head. The guard play though is exceptional. JaNae Mosley is an explosive player and she can handle the ball well. The freshmen on this team at guard are great players. Linda Sayavongchanh was Miss Basketball in Iowa last year and is adapting to her role at the point nicely. Nicole Denmon has surprised people. She is a great shooter and is a force coming off the bench. Burchill is also contributing. Drake in my opinion will win the Missouri Valley Conference and will be making waves nationally.

[textom]

ISU lost three of its top five scorers and rebounders from last year's team. 6-6 center Kate Baughman also transfered to UCSB. Nina Smith (1999 Blue Star #1), a transfer from Wisconsin, looked like an instant replacement for Angie Welle, but she gave up basketball. And Anne O'Neil looks like she isn't quite all the way back from her knee injury, though she is obviously getting there. Although Oklahoma's losses have gotten the press coverage, ISU also lost an awful lot of talent. ISU will be back competing at the top of the Big 12, but probably not this year. Cut the players some slack.

[carolann]

Cut the players some slack? I didn't think anyone was really coming down on them. I think most people knew this was a game ISU could lose. It is tough that in spite of everything, ISU had a chance to win at the end and couldn't do it.

[cycofan]

I had to listen to this one on the radio, but it sounded like what I feared about this offense. If you hit a night where the shots are falling, it's going to be a long one! Junod was 2 - 10 or something like that....highly unusual for her, and I think the team was 4 - 20-something from 3.

From the stats I saw, and the radio, it sounds like Iowa State hung in there, especially in the middle. If I'm not mistaken, they out-rebounded Drake, too? If you told me Bennett would score 15, I would definitely give us a good shot to win.

There is a lot of youth on this team, and I'm sure Coach will make the most of this game as a learning opportunity. Brighter days ahead, Cyclone fans! http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif