Cyclones’ foe riding 26-game win streak

AMES - Every text message or e-mail that's made its way into Bill Fennelly's inbox the last few days has said virtually the same thing.

“Congratulations, and man you got a tough draw,” the Iowa State coach said this week.

The No. 7-seeded Cyclones (22-10) were awarded maybe the field's most powerful nonpower conference opponent in No. 10 Marist, a team that's averaged more than 29 victories and has a winning percentage of 86.4 the last five seasons.

The Red Foxes (30-2) will put the nation's longest active winning streak (26) on the line in today's NCAA first-round game in Durham, N.C.

“We knew we were going to get a tough draw, and we did,” Fennelly said. “Marist is a good team. They are not going to give you the ball back, and they are hard to score on.”

Marist leads the nation in scoring defense at 48.6 points per game and commits just 11.1 turnovers, also best in the nation.

The Cyclones don't allow opponents much more (54.4) and are expecting a grind-it-out kind of game.

“One or two baskets here or there changes things,” Fennelly said.

Marist runs a motion offense that will keep ISU on its toes. Senior guard Erica Allenspach scores 14.2 points a game and shoots 51 percent from the floor, including 43.1 from 3-point range. All five starters can score from anywhere on the floor.

“They are moving all over the place,” guard Chassidy Cole said. “You can't relax on anyone.”

Senior Kelsey Bolte is the only Cyclone with more than one year of postseason experience.

Her young teammates got their feet wet last season and say they are much more confident this time around, having gone through the routine once before.

“Last year was exciting and we didn't really know what to expect,” sophomore forward Chelsea Poppens said. “This year we'll be more comfortable. We know what we have to do.”

Two key players - transfer Lauren Mansfield and freshman Hallie Christofferson - are new to the elimination experience. Christofferson seems to have a mature attitude, knowing this is a business trip.

“This reminds me of playing at state (tournament) last year,” she said. “You have to focus on what you are going there to do and not the atmosphere that's surrounding you.”

Fennelly, too, treats this event very seriously.

“It's a matter of refocusing. If you are just happy to be in the tournament that's fine, but don't waste my time. I'm not just happy to be in.”

Today's game: Iowa State (22-10)vs. Marist (30-2)

Where: Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, N.C.

When: 10:15 a.m.

TV: ESPN2 on cable, 732 on DirecTV, 147 on Dish Network

Radio: None locally

Notes: Cyclones are in tournament for 12th time in 16 years with Coach Bill Fennelly ... Marist, located in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., is seeded 11th and in the NCAA field for the sixth year in a row ... The Red Foxes have won 26 in a row ... ISU is 4-0 against Metro Atlantic Conference teams but has never played Marist.