ISU looking for Muni magic with or without Lacey

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Iowa State players are getting used to playing without senior star Alison Lacey.

But it doesn't mean they like it.

“It's really different playing without her,” said Cyclone guard Kelsey Bolte. “She's been our point guard since we've got here. Putting someone out there to try and get what she does every night is really tough. It won't come from one person. It has to come from all of us.”

Lacey could miss her third straight game Friday night when second-seeded ISU (23-6, 11-5) faces No. 7 Oklahoma State (22-9, 9-7) in a Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal at Municipal Auditorium.

She still is recovering from pneumonia and is considered doubtful for the 5 p.m. game.

“We'll keep our fingers crossed,” senior guard Denae Stuckey said.

Lacey has been virtually inactive since contracting the illness. The Cowgirls beat a Lacey-less ISU 78-70 in Stillwater, Okla., back on March 3.

The Cyclones rallied in the second half and actually led before faltering late. They know how close they were to a victory, despite not having their best player.

“That really helps,” Coach Bill Fennelly said. “We played them on the road and were competitive. I think our kids feel that they can compete.”

Lacey is the team's leading scorer at 17.1 points a game and her assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.3 to 1 leads the nation.

Her teammates will have to pick up the slack in a big way in order to advance.

“We don't have anyone that can do what she does,” Fennelly said. “We need everyone to do one more thing positive and one less thing negative.”

ISU has a long history of success at the conference tournament, winning more games at this event (21) than any other school.

The Cyclones have reached the semifinals in each of the last season. Texas A&M is the only other school that can say that.

Municipal Auditorium has been kind to them over the years.

Both tournament titles were won here and ISU fans usually pack the old arena, earning it the nickname “Hilton South.”

“It's amazing how many people come to support us when we play in Kansas City,” Stuckey said.

Lacey is improving, but isn't anywhere close to game shape. She should be ready for ISU's NCAA Tournament games starting March 21, but today might be a reach.

“When she is ready to go she'll know,” Fennelly said. “Hopefully she can get back to the way she was as quickly as possible.”