Ellis nails a key 3-pointer

AMES - By Dylan Montz, correspondent

AMES - The plan was to use Fallon Ellis to rest freshman starter Bryanna Fernstrom.

Things didn't go quite according to plan, though, and that led to perhaps the biggest shot of the game.

With less than three minutes to go, Iowa State was deadlocked in a 50-50 tie with Kansas State after leading by as many as 13 points. With the shot clock winding down and Ellis parked in the corner, she launched a contested 3-pointer that found the bottom of the net to help push the Cyclones to an eventual 60-55 victory Saturday at Hilton Coliseum.

'Maybe the biggest shot, certainly of this game, but maybe the biggest shot of her career,” said ISU Coach Bill Fennelly.

'I kind of just shot it and prayed and hoped that it would go in and it did,” Ellis said. 'It was a big 3, and I was pretty excited I hit it.”

Ellis, who finished with 11 points while not missing a shot, added she was a bit surprised to be on the receiving end of that pass from guard Brynn Williamson. The shot reminded Fennelly of former Cyclone Monica Huelman's 3-pointer against No. 1 Connecticut in the 1999 NCAA tournament.

And while it surprised Ellis that she was the one to take the shot, K-State Coach Jeff Mittie was in a bit of shock, too.

'Give her credit, because sometimes players in those situations don't know the clock and or they don't have the confidence,” Mittie said. 'She knew both and in a half where they only shoot 21 percent, there's not bigger shot in this game than that one.”

Holding the Wildcats (10-2, 0-1) at bay extended the Cyclones' (10-2, 1-0) winning streak in home games against Kansas State to seven, despite a few bumps in the road Saturday.

Iowa State turned the ball over 21 times, a season-high, against K-State's zone. But the Cyclones finished with 15 assists on 17 field goals.

Things were clicking for Iowa State at the end of the first half against the opportunistic defense of the Wildcats when it went on an 18-6 run to grab a 12-point lead.

Williamson said it was just about being in the right spots to take advantage of situations.

'Emily (Durr) and Nikki (Moody) can play in the middle of that zone along with Seanna (Johnson) and they can attack the basket or pull up and hit a shot right in front of you or they find open shooters,” said Williamson, who finished with a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds. 'That's really important.”

Iowa State will hit the road for its next conference game, taking on TCU in Fort Worth, Texas, at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

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