United Group Insurance

Poppens Leads Cyclones Over New Hampshire

Sports

December 30th, 2011 by Jim Field

AMES, Iowa – Chelsea Poppens recorded her fifth double-double of the season (14 points/16 rebounds) to help Iowa State cruise to a 71-57 win over New Hampshire Thursday night in Hilton Coliseum.

Poppens was one of four Cyclones in double figures, including 14 points from freshman Brynn Williamson, one shy from her career-best. Hallie Christofferson added 15 points and six boards, as the Cyclones improve to 8-2 on the year and advance to the finals of the Cyclone Challenge tomorrow night.

Iowa State wasted little time taking control, mounting an early 23-8 lead with 11:36 left before the break. Christofferson scored seven points in the first nine minutes to put the Cyclones on track.

Iowa State then suffered a drought to help the Wildcats creep back into the game. The Cyclones went nearly 10 minutes without a field goal, as UNH cut the lead to 29-25 with under 3:00 minutes until the break.

Amanda Zimmerman finally ended the Cyclone dry spell with a big 3-point basket. Lauren Mansfield followed with another trey to push the Cyclone lead back to double digits (35-25). Iowa State led at the break, 37-27, as Chelsea Poppens had seven points and 10 boards in the first half to pace the Cyclones.

The Cyclones moved out in front 56-40 with 10:49 left in the game thanks to a 7-0 run. Christofferson buried a three and Poppens muscled a shot in down low to help Iowa State expand its lead.

The lead never dipped below 14 points the rest of the way and the Cyclones were up by as many as 20 points.

Iowa State outrebounded UNH, 43-32 and hit nine 3-pointers in the contest. The Cyclones held the Wildcats to 34.4 percent shooting from the floor, the ninth time this season Iowa State held a team to below 40 percent from the field.

Iowa State will play host to Buffalo tomorrow night in the finals of the Cyclone Challenge at 7:30 p.m. Buffalo defeated NJIT, 66-53 in its first round game.