Aggie women to host Iowa State

  • By ROBERT CESSNA

  • Posted: Sunday, January 29, 2012 7:00 a.m.
  • Text size: A A A


If you're only as good as your last game, 14th-ranked Texas A&M should beware of Iowa State.


The Cyclones started Big 12 play with five straight losses but are coming off back-to-back victories over Texas Tech and Kansas State. The victory over Kansas State came at KSU where the Aggies (13-5, 4-3) started league play with a loss.


A&M bounced back from losses to KSU and Texas for three straight victories, but the defending national champions dropped a 57-53 game to Oklahoma State on Wednesday.


"We're getting everyone's best games, and it's to be expected," A&M head coach Gary Blair said after the loss at OSU. "Hopefully it will help us in March because the team that played the best tonight won and the team that played the smartest tonight won."


A&M had a season-high 26 turnovers and shot only 35.1 percent against OSU.


The turnovers are a concern for A&M. ISU forced KSU into 13 turnovers for a 21-6 edge in points off turnovers in the 66-57 victory. ISU trailed by nine at halftime but played what veteran ISU head coach Bill Fennelly said was the Cyclones' "best 16 minutes in the second half of the year."


ISU junior forward Chelsea Poppins had 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting, and guards Lauren Mansfield and Chassidy Cole led the Cyclones' defense.


The first time A&M and ISU met this season, the Aggies' defense and seniors led the way to a 59-33 victory in Ames, Iowa, on Jan. 14. It was the fewest points ISU has scored in a game in Fennelly's 17 seasons with the Cyclones. A&M senior forward Adaora Elonu had 14 points, and senior reserve guard Skylar Collins added 12 points.


A&M forced ISU into 18 turnovers and had a 21-10 edge in points off turnovers. ISU shot only 28.9 percent from the field (13 of 45), including 4 of 17 on 3-pointers.


A&M WOMEN'S BASKETBALL


Iowa State (11-7, 2-5) at No. 14 A&M (13-5, 4-3)


1 p.m. Sunday, Reed Arena


TV: FSN, Ch. 25. Radio: 1150 AM, KZNE


TEXAS A&M (13-5, 4-3)


Pos. Name Height Class PPG RPG


G Alexia Standish 5-8 Fr. 3.3 *2.1


G Sydney Carter 5-6 Sr. 12.1 3.3


G Tyra White 6-0 Sr. 14.4 5.5


F Adaora Elonu 6-1 Sr. 11.9 7.1


C Kelsey Bone 6-4 Jr. 11.9 7.0


IOWA STATE (11-7, 2-5)


Pos. Name Height Class PPG RPG


G Nikki Moody 5-8 Fr. 9.6 *4.5


G Chassidy Cole 5-8 Sr. 1.9 2.6


G Lauren Mansfield 5-7 Sr. 6.5 2.9


F Chelsea Poppens 6-2 Jr. 14.0 11.2


P Anna Prins 6-7 Jr. 7.7 3.9


*assists per game

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