Fennelly surprised with Bryanna Fernstrom’s decision to leave Iowa State

AMES — Iowa State women's basketball coach Bill Fennelly received a text from one of his players Sunday night asking to meet with him the next morning.

The nature of the meeting caught Fennelly off guard and by the end of the conversation, the number of players on the Cyclones roster had shrunk by one.

Sophomore Bryanna Fernstrom informed the coaching staff Monday morning that she was requesting a release from her scholarship at Iowa State and would be transferring. Fennelly said he was told an hour before meeting the media at his weekly news conference.

'The second semester starts today (Monday) and there's six weeks to go in the season, but I would say surprised,' Fennelly said. 'But again, there are a lot of things young people do that don't surprise me anymore. Maybe a little bit of both.'

Fernstrom had a double-double Saturday in a win against Kansas and was averaging 9.1 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. The Center City, Minn., native played in all 15 games this season and started 12, but was brought off the bench against the Jayhawks with freshman Meredith Burkhall in the starting group.

Iowa State (11-4, 3-1) will now likely use a seven-player rotation through the remainder of the Big 12 season, but Fernstrom's intention to transfer will cut into the opportunity for the Cyclones to play big. At 6-foot-5, Fernstrom was an option on the block and without her presence, Iowa State will have to rely on a more guard-heavy lineup.

'I'm going to have to step up just like the other posts on the team are going to have to step up and work together as a team,' Burkhall said. 'With her absence, we're going to have to build and change some things and just work hard for Texas Tech.'

The Cyclones have an open date this week and return to face Texas Tech on Jan. 17 in Lubbock. When Iowa State resumes practice Wednesday and Thursday, a focus will be how it can replace the 20.7 minutes Fernstrom added to the rotation.

'I think we just have to focus on moving forward,' said sophomore Jadda Buckley. 'We still have a big season left with a lot of conference games. This doesn't stop now. We have to keep moving forward with practice and games and whatnot. Our next focus is Texas Tech and what we have to do down there.'

Fennelly said while Fernstrom requesting to transfer caught him off guard, his priority becomes helping the remaining players on the roster with 14 conference games left in the regular season.

'After this conversation is over, and I will sit here as long as you want, I will only answer questions about the kids that want to wear an Iowa State uniform,' Fennelly said. 'OK? If you want to meet me outside and you want to keep asking, I'll answer today and I'm done. Because the kids that need your focus and energy are the kids that want to be here and want to play for Iowa State. I think that's fair.'

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