AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State cruised to its first NCAA Tournament win in six years on Saturday — and moved a step closer to its first Sweet 16 in nearly a decade.
Bridget Carleton led four players in double figures with 23 points and third-seeded Iowa State routed New Mexico State 97-61 on Saturday for its first victory in the tournament since 2013.

Alexa Middleton had 15 points, nine assists and five rebounds for the Cyclones (26-8), who were one-and-done in their last three trips to the Big Dance. On Monday, they’ll face 11th-seeded Missouri State — which stunned DePaul 89-78 earlier Saturday — in search of the program’s first regional semifinal appearance since 2010.

“The NCAA is supposed to be fun, and today was fun,” Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly said. “The best part of it is that we get to play again.” Iowa State never trailed — and it never let the Aggies’ explosive offense breathe, either.

After seeing the rival Hawkeyes struggle mightily with a No. 15 seed on Friday, the Cyclones eased any fears over a possible upset with a stirring start. Iowa State will likely find buckets much tougher to come by on Monday when they host the Bears — who picked up their first NCAA win since superstar Jackie Stiles led them to the Final Four in 2001.

Iowa State senior Meredith Burkhall, who had seen her role diminish with sophomore Kristin Scott emerging as a star in the post, hit back-to-back shots in the fourth quarter that brought the Cyclones bench to its feet. It might have been the last extended action in Hilton Coliseum for Burkhall, as Iowa State closes out home play on Monday.