Cyclones Comeback Bid Falls Short in Overtime

AMES, Iowa - Iowa State's comeback bid sent the Cyclones into their second consecutive overtime contest, but ice-cold shooting and defensive lapses spelled defeat as ISU fell to Marquette 69-63 in the second round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament. Iowa State closed out the season at 18-13, while Marquette (20-10) advanced to the next round to face Indiana.

"It's never easy to end a season," ISU head coach Bill Fennelly said. "We kept fighting and clawing and got the game into overtime. But they were the better team tonight and deserved to win it."

Iowa State trailed by as much as eight points midway through the second half, including a 46-38 deficit with 10:20 to go. That's when junior Lyndsey Medders took over ISU's offensive reins. Medders scored 14 of Iowa State's last 18 points in regulation, while getting the assist on two of the other three baskets. She had all of her team-high 16 points in 21 minutes of second-half action.

The Cyclones, who struggled all season with offensive consistency, went 0-for-10 from the floor in the extra period, getting just five points from free throws. Marquette went 5-of-7 to earn the win and end ISU's season.

"It was appropriate to end the season going 0-for-10 in overtime and forgetting to guard a few times," Fennelly said. "Those have been the two things that have killed us this season."

Despite getting limited minutes from its top two scorers in the first half, ISU trailed by just four points (29-25) at the half. Senior Brittainy Wilkins was forced to the bench with two fouls, playing just eight minutes, while Medders missed a start and most of the half in an effort to rest her ankle.

The Cyclones shot 34.5 percent in the first stanza, but forced 11 Marquette turnovers to keep it close. The Golden Eagles owned a 21-14 rebounding advantage at the break and shot 42.9 percent in the first half, getting points from seven different players.

The first half featured four lead changes and three ties, but Iowa State went 1-of-8 and committed four turnovers over the final six minutes to forfeit a 22-19 lead. Marquette took advantage of ISU's cold shooting, outscoring the Cyclones 10-3 to close the half.

Four Cyclones scored in double figures, led by Medders' 16 points. Sophomore Lisa Bildeaux had 15, while Wilkins and junior Megan Ronhovde added 13 and 10 points, respectively. After shooting 51.9 percent in the second half, ISU's overtime shutout gave the Cyclones 36.4 percent accuracy for the game. Marquette owned the backboards with a 45-32 advantage. The Golden Eagles got a game-high 22 points from freshman Krystal Ellis, who sank four 3-pointers.

Team Stats

Lyndsey Medders

Lisa Bildeaux

Brittany Wilkins

Megan Ronhovde

Players Mentioned

Lisa Bildeaux

Lisa Bildeaux

Lyndsey Medders

Lyndsey Medders

Lyndsey Medders

Megan Ronhovde

Megan Ronhovde

Megan Ronhovde

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics