ISU

Mission accomplished: Iowa women's senior class goes undefeated against Iowa State

Tommy Birch
The Des Moines Register

AMES, Ia. — The idea of beating Iowa State four times in a row, something that hadn’t been done in years, first popped into Kathleen Doyle’s head back in 2016.

That’s when, following an 88-76 win over the Cyclones, Iowa associate head coach Jan Jensen said something that Doyle never forgot.

“(She) came up to me and said, ‘That’s the first of four,’” Doyle said. “And ever since then, I’ve kind of thought about it which is probably too long to be thinking about it. It’s kind of been in the back of our heads.”

That idea became a reality Wednesday. Iowa won its fourth straight game in the rivalry, beating the Cyclones 75-69 at Hilton Coliseum. It marked the first time either team had won at least four straight since Iowa State won five from 1997 to 2001. Iowa hadn’t accomplished the feat in even longer. The Hawkeyes won 10 straight from 1982 to 1996. (The teams didn't play every year.)

“I’m really happy for our three seniors that went 4-0 against Iowa State in their careers,” said Iowa coach Lisa Bluder. “That’s something because of the respect we have for this program. If it wasn’t a very good program, it’s not a big deal. But it’s a big deal for us because Iowa State is such a good program.”

Iowa's three seniors played prominent roles in the big win Wednesday. Doyle scored 21 points. Amanda Ollinger grabbed 20 rebounds. And Makenzie Meyer added 18 points, five rebounds and five assists for the Hawkeyes, who improved to 7-2 on the young season, giving them a big resume building win.

Adding to the excitement was the historical significance for the group, which has had its sights set on a perfect run against Iowa State since that first win in 2016. A year later, the Hawkeyes knocked off Iowa State, 61-55 in Ames. Then last season, the Hawkeyes survived a close call with Iowa State, winning 73-70.

Then there was Wednesday’s win, which was also drama filled, with the two teams deadlocked at 48 heading into the fourth quarter.

But Iowa, like it has done a lot lately, pulled away from the Cyclones, using a 7-0 run to open the fourth quarter. Later in the quarter, Meyer connected on a big 3 that gave Iowa a 62-53 lead. 

“Wins at Hilton for Hawkeyes come few and far between,” Meyer said. “So it’s really special for us to be able to get two wins at Hilton.”

This one wasn’t easy either.

Iowa State stayed within striking distance of Iowa all night.

Iowa’s largest lead was nine when Ollinger connected on a layup to give the Hawkeyes a 45-36 lead. It wouldn’t last, though.

Iowa State went on a 7-0 run to close out the third quarter, tying the game on a pair of free throws by Ashley Joens.

The momentum didn’t carry over into the fourth quarter for Iowa State, however. Joens missed a pair of shots to start the frame and Maggie Espenmiller-McGraw turned it over.

Iowa capitalized with a pair of baskets by Monika Czinano, who finished with 20 points. Tomi Taiwo then hit a 3 to give the Hawkeyes a 55-51 lead. Taiwo, who who entered the game with just one made 3-pointer, connected on three Wednesday night and finished with nine points. 

More:Iowa State coach takes the sidelines hours after father passes away

“They were very efficient at the right times offensively,” said Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly.

Iowa State wasn't. The Cyclones shot just 31.9% (22 of 69) from the field for the game and just 20% (4 of 20) from 3-point range. The Cyclones also missed six free throws.

“I think anytime you miss shots, you always get into, 'Is it a good shot? Bad shot? Is it good defense?” Fennelly said. “I thought there were a couple of times, literally underneath the basket, Iowa was ready to take the ball out of bounds until we missed the layup.”

Joens finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds. Ines Nezerwa added 18 points and 10 rebounds for Iowa State. But it wasn’t enough to stop Iowa, which celebrated another victory over Iowa State.

“It’s a big deal and we’re going to enjoy it,” Bluder said.