Iowa State women seek fourth straight win Sunday at No. 20 West Virginia

AMES — Iowa State head coach Bill Fennelly believes true freshman point guard Reagan Wilson’s “in a really hard spot.”

And it turns out that’s precisely where she wants to be.

Wilson backs up the Cyclones’ all-time assists leader, Emily Ryan, and she’s both endured and enjoyed her baptism of fire in Big 12 play.

“It’s definitely a big challenge,” said Wilson, who’s helped ISU (13-6, 4-2) win three straight games heading into Sunday’s noon matchup (FOX) with No. 20 West Virginia (14-3, 4-2) in Morgantown. “But coming here, I knew it was gonna be a big challenge. I’m excited to take that on and just give the coaches what they need.”

Her teammates, too.

Wilson — who’s notched career highs in points (10) and assists (3) in the past three games — has earned the trust of more senior Cyclones despite her inexperience at this level, and that’s impressed Fennelly.

‘She does all the things, and it’s not fair, but she does all the things that Emily Ryan did as a freshman,” Fennelly said. “You come in (and say), ‘I’m a point guard. I’m a leader. I’m competitive. I’m not making excuses.’ But she’s been put in a really unfair situation and has not complained one second of it.”

That’s been a common trait throughout ISU’s roster while navigating this up and down season. Fennelly has lauded his team’s effort continuously. The execution’s been spotty, but the Cyclones are finding multiple plays to win — and may need to tap into each of those areas to derail the Mountaineers. West Virginia ranks fourth nationally in turnovers forced per game (26.0) and its persistent pressure can create myriad problems for opponents.

“It is the most unique style in our league,” Fennelly said. “(It’s) borderline impossible to prepare for.”

Wilson and company will try, of course. A possible fourth straight win hangs in the balance, and that’s a really good spot to be in.

“(We’re) finding ways to have levels of success and not doing it the same way every night,” Fennelly said.

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