Lacey-less Cyclones secure Big 12's No. 2 seed

AMES – Missing its point guard and best player, Iowa State still was able to send its seniors out on a high note Saturday and tie the school record with 23 regular-season victories.

With a 59-41 victory over Colorado at Hilton Coliseum, the No. 13-ranked Cyclones (23-6, 11-5 Big 12) locked up the second seed and a first-round bye in next week's Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City, Mo. Games today will help determine who their opponent could be at 5 p.m. Friday.

This team – picked in the preseason to finish seventh in the conference -- came in with more questions than answers, and has exceeded even its own expectations after losing a half-dozen key players from last year's Elite Eight team.

“A lot of people didn't think we would get this high of a seed,” said senior guard Denae Stuckey. “It's an amazing feeling. We are all proud of ourselves.”

ISU did it Saturday without star point guard Alison Lacey, who sat out her second straight game because of a respiratory illness.

Lacey was in the building and in uniform.

The senior started what was the final regular season home appearance for ISU's five seniors, but logged only two seconds of playing time. Fennelly had his team foul immediately after the tip and replaced Lacey with junior Kelsey Bolte.

“I was going to stand in the corner and get out of the there really quick,” Lacey said.

She said she was feeling better, but continues to fight fatigue and shortness of breath. ISU's next practice is on Monday.

She's not sure if she'll be on the floor.

“I'm getting better. I don't know when I'll be I'll be back,” said Lacey, who has averages of 17.1 points, 6.5 assists and 5.3 rebounds a game. “It's not that serious. Hopefully I'll be back real soon.”

Her teammates struggled to find offense without her and won in her absence for the first time in three tries.

Bolte picked up the slack with four 3-pointers and a game-high 19 points.

“I knew I needed to do a little bit more than I usually do,” Bolte said.

Colorado (13-16, 3-13) trailed by only four at halftime and closed to within 47-41 on Kelly Jo Mullaney's jumper with 7:02 to play.

The Buffaloes didn't score again, and ISU closed the game with 12 straight points. Alyssa Fressle was their only double-figure scorer (10) as CU shot 27.3 percent (15 of 55) from the floor.

Stuckey had a hand in ISU's final three baskets and helped seal things late.

“We showed we wanted to win and play hard and finish the game out,” said Stuckey, who finished with nine points, nine rebounds, five assists and no turnovers.

Freshmen posts Anna Prins (12 points) and Chelsea Poppens (10 points, nine rebounds) did their jobs without Lacey, the leader they've followed all season long.

“With Aus (Lacey) not in the game we look very disjointed at times and not real smooth,” Coach Bill Fennelly said. “We just challenged them to play hard.”

Lacey's status for Friday's postseason opener is clearly a concern.

“She's still hurting,” Fennelly said. “We'll see. That decision will be made by Aus and the doctors.”