AMES, Iowa-- The host Cyclones raced out to a 26-9 first-quarter lead and never looked back, defeating North Dakota 87-35 Sunday afternoon in non-conference play at the Hilton Coliseum. UND sophomore forward Julia Fleecs registered a career-high nine points in the loss.
"Credit Iowa State, they trapped us early a couple times and we got a little hesitant because we turned it over a couple times," UND head coach Travis Brewster said in his post-game radio interview. "We've got to get in the gym and shoot the ball a lot and see it go through the hoop-- game-like shots, too, where we've got to get up and down, get our wind going and knock down those shots."
Iowa State (7-2) scored the first eight points of the game, but North Dakota (2-7) immediately answered to get it back to one possession. In that spurt, Fleecs scored a traditional three-point play, then Melissa Dailey nailed a triple to make it 9-6. Later in the frame, Fleecs would hit from deep, but North Dakota then went on a nearly nine-minute dry spell, allowing the Cyclones to run up a 38-9 advantage midway through the second quarter.
At the break, Iowa State had seven made triples, shooting just under 50 percent from the floor overall (17-35) en route to a 52-13 lead.
Lexi Klabo failed to score in double figures for the first time all season and was held under 10 points in a game for the first time in 18 games. Sunday, she would finish with six points and six rebounds on just five field goal attempts. UND attempted just five free throws as a team the entire game (16-21 for Iowa State).
Four players scored in double figures for ISU, led by Bridget Carleton's 18 points and seven rebounds. Ashley Jones and Ines Nezerwa each chipped-in 11 while Kristin Scott added 10 points and eight boards off the bench.
North Dakota returns home Wednesday to host Mayville State at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center for a 7:00 p.m. tip.
NOTES
*Juliet Gordon came in the fourth quarter and immediately scored-- her first collegiate field goal.
*Jill Morton was held scoreless for the first time this season.
*Iowa State was just outside the AP Top 25 poll, receiving votes in Monday's poll.