Iowa State women drop Big 12 tournament opener

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.- Iowa State dropped a 67-57 decision to Oklahoma State in its opening game at the Big 12 women's basketball tournament Saturday at the Chesapeaker Engery Arena.

Iowa State now awaits its postseason fate with a 20-10 record. An NCAA tournament regional is scheduled to be played in Ames.

The Cyclones opened hot Saturday morning, jumping to a 12-2 lead in the first four minutes. The Cowgirls responded with a 12-0 run, and the game was on.

Iowa State finished the half the way it began, scoring of two of its last three possessions to take a 37-30 lead to the locker room.

Turnovers plagued Iowa State after the break, keeping the Cyclones out of any offensive flow. Iowa State finished with 16 turnovers to Oklahoma State's 10.

After shooting 46.2 percent in the opening half, Iowa State cooled to 34 percent in the second 20 minutes. ISU shot 28 percent from the arc in the game (7 of 25).

Senior Hallie Christofferson fashioned a double-double for the Cyclones with 21 points and 11 rebounds.

Point guard Nikki Moody made 4 of 8 3-pointers and added 14 points.

Christofferson's double-double was the 19th of her career.

Oklahoma State struck a nice offensive balance with five players in double-figure scoring, led by Brittney Martin with 17 points. She added 11 rebounds for a double-double.

The field for the NCAA women's tournament will be announced March 17.