Big week for Cyclone women

AMES - As big as Iowa State's win against a top-10 Texas team was on the road, ISU women's basketball coach Bill Fennelly sees the two games this week against unranked opponents as just as big of an opportunity.

The Cyclones are 5-2 in the Big 12 heading into tonight's matchup with Kansas in Hilton Coliseum, with a game against Oklahoma State at home coming Saturday. As the halfway point of conference play nears, it's a stretch that certainly can set a positive tone.

'We have nine straight days so we have to be smart about how we practice and prepare,” Fennelly said. '... We need to really find that extra gear that sometimes is hard to find this time of year.”

Fennelly said this group probably has exceeded expectations so far this season, and a large part of that is due to the play of point guard Nikki Moody. The senior suffered an ankle injury on Jan. 21 against TCU, but started against the Longhorns, scoring 14 points adding five assists.

Moody didn't practice leading into the game at Texas, and was close to not being able to play.

'When we walked out at the shoot around, I didn't think she was going to play but she felt like she could go and the adrenaline kicks in,” Fennelly said.

'I know Coach wanted to be cautious because we have a long week ahead,” Moody said. 'But I told him at the end of the day I wanted to play.”

Iowa State has recorded two sweeps, against Kansas State and Texas, and is unbeaten at home. The Cyclones lost five regular season games at Hilton Coliseum last season, and a point of emphasis this year was turning that around.

The Cyclones visit Kansas and Oklahoma State in the second half of Big 12 play, so getting players aware of how important these home games are has been a focus.

'Coach has been preaching since the beginning of the season to play good at home,” Moody said. 'We need a better record at home than last year, so I think these two games will help us with that.”

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