Iowa State women’s basketball tests defense, lineups in exhibition win

AMES - The Iowa State women's basketball team didn't need an exhibition game to figure out its identity.

It's clear the Cyclones will rely on the strength of their offense, but an 85-46 exhibition win against Briar Cliff on Sunday did show where they have to be sharper.

Even in a 39-point win, Iowa State knows the difference between winning and losing could come down to defense and rebounding.

'Offensively we have some skilled kids. Defensively, can you get three stops in a row?” Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly said. 'Can you get a stop when you have to have it? Can you get a defensive rebound to finish a possession?

'We're big on, everything we do we want to finish. It's not anything new today, but it will be highlighted a lot more on Tuesday as we go into the regular season.”

Iowa State never trailed in the game, but struggled offensively through the first quarter and change. The Chargers cut the ISU lead to 20-16 early in the second quarter before the Cyclones used a 23-5 run over the final eight minutes and never looked back. Iowa State outrebounded Briar Cliff 40-34, including 14 offensive boards.

The Chargers ran a 2-3 zone most of the game and helped Iowa State shoot 45 percent from the field, 40 percent from three while four Cyclones scored in double figures. Seanna Johnson had 16 points and five rebounds while Jadda Buckley, Emily Durr and Bridget Carleton had 14, 13 and 10 points, respectively.

'We're not going to see zone a lot so I think he just wanted us to play and not give us a lot of play calls,” Durr said. 'Just try to get some fluid plays and give everybody a chance to touch the ball.”

The Cyclones went 12 deep on their bench, with every player getting at least nine minutes. Fennelly anticipates Iowa State playing 10 regularly, but Sunday was a chance to see key newcomers Nia Washington, Heather Bowe and even redshirt freshman TeeTee Starks in a game setting.

Bowe had nine points and four rebounds while Washington - who will likely assume a more prominent role at point guard - had four points and three assists.

'Heather helped me a lot with the rebounding,” Johnson said. 'I think she's a very, very physical player and I love her game.

'Nia, she helps Jadda a lot. I know Jadda wants to play the two-guard and I think Nia does a really good job taking care of the ball. She's a really unselfish player and I really like that about her.”

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