Iowa State women’s basketball seeks second scoring option

AMES – Iowa State women's basketball guard Bridget Carleton needs some help.

The junior is leading the Cyclones in scoring and assists and is second on the team in rebounding. Her line reads 18.1 points, 3.4 assists and 6.4 rebounds.

The next closest player to her in the scoring column is senior Emily Durr, who averages 11.3 points.

'Probably the biggest thing on the basketball court that we've learned is Bridget needs some help,” coach Bill Fennelly said. 'We've got to figure that out. We're playing a lot of young kids and inexperienced players, but they're all on scholarship, we have to coach them better and we have to play better.”

Iowa State has a chance to find that player on Thursday against Drake in Des Moines.

In the Cyclones' two losses, they've had stretches where they allow their opponent to go on runs and they have a hard time coming back without a bonafide second threat.

Fennelly believes Durr is the player that can help Carleton out.

Durr missed the Northern Iowa game due to injury, but she feels she's getting back into the swing of things again.

'Emily's been pretty consistent,” Fennelly said. 'She's made shots, she's got the experience – she hasn't played a ton of minutes for a senior, but just the maturity level. She's been there and done that. She understands the system, she doesn't get too riled up. (Carleton and Durr) are very good friends too, so they help each other out. I think Emily, by far, has been our next best player on the team up to this point.”

Durr said it's important for her to help take the load off of Carleton.

'There's a lot of pressure on her to score; she is our best player,” Durr said. 'If I can help, if Kristin (Scott) can help, if Maddie (Wise) can help in any way we can and if our post players can help, then I know that helps her out a lot and she doesn't have to force as much and just play her game.”

Drake likes to play fast and score a lot of points, so the sooner that help arrives, the better for Iowa State and Bill Fennelly.

'It's not a game that's going to be in the 60s, I don't think,” Fennelly said. 'We better find a way to score.”

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