Cyclones hope to start 2-0 against rival Drake

AMES - A 35-0 run cures a lot if ills.

First, it keyed the Iowa State women's basketball team win Friday's 73-33 season opener over outmatched Houston Baptist.

Second it overshadowed a painfully sloppy start - but not to Cyclone coach Bill Fennelly.

“We just looked flat,” said Fennelly, whose team hopes to improve to 2-0 in Tuesday's 5 p.m. intra-state rivalry game at Drake. “I think we were trying; I think they were a little nervous.”

The Bulldogs will likely pose a sterner challenge to ISU than the Huskies did.

Drake (0-1) beat the Cyclones 78-75 in 2009's meeting at the Knapp Center.

ISU (1-0) countered with a 64-46 triumph last season at Hilton Coliseum.

“We had a really good team two years ago and they kicked our butt,” Fennelly said. “We know - the coaches know, and the kids who are back know. Our freshman have no idea what's going to happen.”

One thing Fennelly expects is improved post play.

The Cyclones struggled to finish inside against Houston Baptist, in part because key offensive contributors such as Chelsea Poppens and Hallie Christofferson faced constant double teams.

“We're going to come with energy,” said Poppens, who shot 1-for-4 from the field.

She usually does, Fennelly noted.

“The great thing about Pop is, she's so frustrated because she's so competitive,” Fennelly said. “But she's the most energetic kid on the bench when somebody else scores. She's the hardest working kid on our team.”