Mansfield's improvement key to ISU's turnaround

AMES - The stroke's improved.

The rhythm's coming back.

Shots are falling at key times.

Iowa State guard Lauren Mansfield enters Sunday's 1 p.m. Big 12 game at Texas A&M on a bit of a roll, having hit 5 of her last 8 3-point attempts after enduring a prolonged shooting slump.

But is she back?

“I don't know if I'm there yet,” the Australian transplant said.

Either way, Mansfield's improved production has been an important element of the Cyclones' current two-game win streak.

ISU (11-7, 2-5) hopes to avenge a 26-point home loss to the Aggies (13-5, 4-3).

And lest the players forget, coaches printed up sheets of paper featuring the score of that game - 59-33 - and plastered them around the practice gym.

“It's everywhere,” Cyclone guard Chassidy Cole said. “It's not really nice to look at. It doesn't really help - it helps, but, goll, that score, we were ridiculous that game. We were just defeated. It was awful.”

Mansfield's been anything but in the recent wins, notching two double-figure scoring efforts after recording just three in the previous 16 games.

“(Lauren) really just decided to step up,” Cole said.

Part of Mansfield's revival stems from bolstered confidence.

Some was just a matter of time - good shooters always emerge from cold spells eventually.

More of it has to do with the overall team mood, which spiked after last Saturday's 66-49 upset win over Texas Tech.

“I'm just trying to stay positive and just think back to games where I've played well,” said Mansfield, who shot 25 percent in her first five conference games, but is 9-of-17 in the past two. “I think that helps me mentally.”

A&M tests both mental and physical toughness each time it takes the floor.

The defending national champion Aggies have struggled at times this season, but remain one of the Big 12's most hard-nosed teams.

“They attack and they have good pressure,” said Mansfield, one of ISU's team leaders in steals with 23. “If you're not ready to play them, they're going to beat you like they beat us.”