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Hot-Shooting Oklahoma Downs Iowa State Women

Sports

January 5th, 2012 by Jim Field

NORMAN, Okla. – Aaryn Ellenberg scored 21 points, Joanna McFarland equaled a career-high with 19 points and Oklahoma rode its hot hands, making 11-of-18 (61 percent) shots from three-point range to beat Iowa State 80-50 Wednesday in the Lloyd Noble Center. OU is now 9-3 overall and 1-0 in Big 12 play. Iowa State, which was led by 12 points and seven rebounds from Chelsea Poppens, is 9-3 overall and 0-1 in league action.

Iowa State controlled the first segment of the first half. The Cyclones made all four of their shots during a four-minute stretch as two free throws by Brynn Williamson gave Iowa State a 17-10 lead with 11:36 left in the initial stanza. The Cyclones hit on six of its first nine shots while Oklahoma was 4-of-13 from the field out of the gate.

McFarland led the Sooners back into the game. The 6-3 junior hit three straight shots, the last to tie the game at 18-18 with 7:38 to go. Iowa State hit but one of its 10 last shots of the first half. McFarland had the hot hand for Oklahoma, scoring 14 points and grabbing six rebounds as the Sooners raced to a 32-20 lead at halftime on a 23-2 run. Iowa State had two assists and 12 turnovers in the first half.

Iowa State got 11 second-half points from Anna Prins and closed the gap to 13 at 61-48 on a jumper by Chassidy Cole with 5:22 left. OU responded by scoring 11 straight point to put the game away. Cole’s 10 points was a season-high.

Iowa State plays host to No. 1 Baylor Saturday at 7 p.m. CST in Hilton Coliseum.