Iowa State’s Bill Fennelly shows frustration, Cyclones lose to Oklahoma, 67-57

AMES — The late-game struggles aren't anything new to the Iowa State women's basketball team.

A 67-57 home loss to No. 25 Oklahoma is just the latest example of the Cyclones' (10-6, 1-4) inability to get over the hump. What was different from all the others was coach Bill Fennelly's demonstrative postgame frustration.

'At the end of the day it's about my responsibility to give this team a chance to win games,' Fennelly said. 'I think every game we've lost in the Big 12, and you add Mississippi State to it, we've been in the game with a chance to win. Nobody gives a rat about that. You've got to win the game. We've got to coach better, got to prepare better.'

In his exchange with reporters following the game, Fennelly also mentioned an email he received that he's keeping in his office. In short, Fennelly said, it suggested that the 22-year ISU coach 'needs to look for other professional opportunities.'

When asked about the Sooners' (13-4, 4-1) changing defenses — which varied from man-to-man and pressure — and if Iowa State prepared for them in practice, Fennelly snapped back after a brief pause.

'Yes. That's my job,' Fennelly said. 'Yes, we prepared for everything that they did. And obviously not good enough.'

Iowa State led by as many as eight in the first half, but Oklahoma started the second half on a 6-0 run to take a four-point cushion that it maintained until the fourth quarter.

Forward Seanna Johnson, who finished with 14 points and nine rebounds, got the Cyclones back within two at 57-55 with less than five minutes left. But after the bucket, Iowa State's offense dropped off and went 0-for-4 — all from long range — to end the game with four turnovers.

Oklahoma ended the game on a 6-0 run with all of its points coming at the free throw line. OU forward Vionise Pierre-Louis had a game-high 18 points and 16 rebounds.

'Obviously we weren't shooting the ball like we needed to,' said guard Bridget Carleton, who had 15 points and six rebounds. 'We missed some open looks that would usually fall for us.'

Forward Meredith Burkhall was a spark for Iowa State with 11 points on 5-for-11 shooting with 11 rebounds, but the Cyclones' big three struggled from the field.

Johnson, Carleton and point guard Jadda Buckley combined to shoot 13-for-40 from the field and 3-for-18 from 3-point range.

'If you would have told me before the game (Burkhall) was going to get 11 and 11, I thought we'd be in good shape,' Fennelly said. 'We didn't get much else in the post and obviously it was not a good day for Jadda, Seanna and Bridget. Got to give Oklahoma a lot of credit.'

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