Iowa State women overpower Hawkeyes

Alison Lacey left no doubt last night she was the best player on the floor.

“There's not many times you are going to see anyone play as well,” Iowa State Coach Bill Fennelly said.

The Cyclone point guard filled the stat sheet like never before, recording just the second triple-double in school history in an 85-66 demolition of rival Iowa at Hilton Coliseum. Lacey finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists.

She added five steals, two blocks and tight defense on Hawkeye leading scorer Kamille Wahlin, who finished with just seven points, 10 below her season average.

ISU's 20-point loss in Iowa City last December served as major motivation.

“In all the years I've played here this was the most excited I've been,” said Lacey, a senior. “I wanted to win so badly. Last year's game has always been in the back of my mind. I wanted to get one back.”

Megan Taylor? Lindsey Wilson? Lyndsey Medders, who was courtside as part of the television broadcast team? Nope. ISU's first triple-double came from Jane Lobenstein during the 1985-86 season.

Lacey's biggest benefactor last night was Kelsey Bolte, whose injured Achilles apparently is just fine.

Bolte sat out Sunday's victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff as a precaution. The rest did her well.

The junior guard set career highs in points (26) and 3-point field goals (eight). Bolte found herself open much of the night against a zone defense that was far too relaxed in giving up 16 3-point baskets to team that ranks among the national leaders in that category.

“Honestly, I was kind of surprised I was open that many times,” said Bolte, who came in shooting 55.2 percent from distance. “They usually guard me pretty tightly. Alison did a great job finding me. She can do it all out there.”

Eleven of ISU's 16 first-half baskets came from beyond the 3-point line, including five of the last six.

Bolte had five before the break as the Cyclones (6-1) turned a close game into a double-digit lead. Iowa had just five field goals in the final 10 1/2 minutes of the first half.

ISU guard Whitney Williams opened the second half with one of her four 3-pointers as the lead swelled to 31 in the second half.

Williams (14) and freshman forward Chelsea Poppens (11) each scored in double figures.

Lacey, Bolte and Williams left the game with about four minutes to play to a huge ovation from an announced crowd of 12,244.

“They played very well,” Iowa Coach Lisa Bluder said.

“They are deep and have players that continue to come off the bench and do well.”

The Hawkeyes (5-5) shot well, hitting on 48 percent of their shots. They also committed 19 turnovers and were outrebounded. A late surge against ISU's reserves prevented Iowa's most lopsided loss in series history.

As it was, the margin tied for the third-highest by the Cyclones, who haven't lost to Iowa in Ames since 1989.

“My wife will tell you and warned the players, this is not a good week to not be good in practice,” Fennelly said. “This is a big week for a lot of people.”

Jaime Printy had a team-high 14 points for Iowa. Morgan Johnson finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds and Theairra Taylor added 10.

The Hawkeyes don't play again until a Dec. 20 home game against Drake.

“We've had a couple of tough losses,” Printy said. “We are going to work as hard as we can.”

ISU plays Sunday at Minnesota.

-- Eric Petersen, news correspondent