CycloneReport.com - Cyclones subdue Ball State; on to Sweet 16

March 24, 2009

ISU Athletics
Special to CycloneReport.com

10 years after its first-ever Sweet 16 berth the Iowa State women's basketball team is heading back following a 71-57 win over Ball State Tuesday night at E.A. Diddle Arena. It marks the fourth Sweet 16 berth in school history, all of which have come under the direction of head coach Bill Fennelly.

The Cyclones will face ninth-seeded Michigan State, which upset top-seeded Duke, Saturday night in Berkley, Calif.

Nicky Wieben led four Cyclones in double-figures with 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field. Kelsey Bolte added 16 points, finishing 5-for-7 from behind the arc. Amanda Nisleit posted her second double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds while Alison Lacey finished with 13 points.

Nisleit scored all 14 of her points in the second half as she keyed a 15-6 second-half ISU run that helped the Cyclones take control of a tight contest.

The first half started slow with Ball State tying the score at 8-8 after Patrice King notching a steal and fast break layup. The Cyclones responded with an 11-4 run, highlighted by three 3-pointers, to go on top 19-12 with 7:49 remaining but the Cardinals turned to Green who scored five straight to draw BSU to within two (19-17).

The Cardinals took the lead with 5:43 remaining in the half on an Audrey McDonald 3-pointer but Bolte knocked in a long ball of her own to give ISU a 22-20 lead. Bolte's 3-pointer ignited a 9-5 run to end the half as the Cyclones went into the break with a 28-25 edge despite eight first half turnovers.

Bolte led the Cyclones with 10 first-half points while Green paced the Cardinals with 12 in the opening stanza.

Early in the second half it seemed that for every Cyclone run Ball State was there to answer, drawing to within two at 41-39 less than a minute after ISU had pushed its lead to seven.

The Cyclones then took control of the game with a 15-6 run over the next six minutes to go up 56-45 following a 3-pointer by Nisleit. ISU nailed its free throws down the stretch to clinch its fourth-ever Sweet 16 appearance.

The Cyclones had just two turnovers in the second half, one of which came as they ran the shot clock out at the end of the game. ISU shot 45.2 percent (14-31) from the field in the second half and hit 10-of-11 free throws to clinch the win.

Green led the way for the Cardinals with 18 points while Jade Barber had 13.

TICKET INFO FOR NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL IN BERKELEY

Iowa State will play in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2009 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament against Michigan State on Saturday, March 28 at 8 p.m. CST in Berkeley, Calif. If the Cyclones win, they would advance to the regional finals on Monday (March 30) at 8 p.m. CST.

A limited number of tickets ? for members of the Cyclone Club at the Directors, Victory and Captains levels only ? will be available from the Iowa State Athletics Ticket on Wednesday (March 25) only. Donors may call (515-294-1816 or toll free 1-888-478-2925) or visit the ISU Athletics Ticket Office (1800 South Fourth Street, Ames) between 8 a.m.-1 p.m. CST to place their orders.

A limit of four tickets per account may be ordered and they must be picked up (a photo ID is required) at the ISU "Will Call", located at the Haas Pavilion on Saturday. If ISU advances to the regional final, ticket pick-up will be Monday. All orders are based on availability.

Tickets cost $35 for each session, but Iowa State fans will be charged only for the sessions that the Cyclones participate in. Fans purchasing tickets from Iowa State will be charged for the regional finals only if the Cyclones advance.

All other fans should order tickets from the University of California at www.calbears.com or by calling 800-GO-BEARS (800-462-3277). There are no order limits and both all-session and single-session tickets are available. The Cal Athletics Ticket Office is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (PST).

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