AMES, Iowa — No. 22 Iowa State held Tynice Martin to a season-low six points and dominated West Virginia 77-61 to break a third-place tie in the Big 12 standings.
“They wanted the game more than we did, and I thought we came out flat,” said Mountaineers coach Mike Carey.
Avenging last month’s upset loss in Morgantown, the Cyclones (18-5, 8-3) got 23 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists from guard Bridget Carleton, the conference’s top scorer. Center Kristin Scott poured in a game-high 29 points — including 25 in the second half — and added eight rebounds.
“At West Virginia, they challenged us and we didn’t respond, but I think we responded better today,” Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly said.
West Virginia freshman guard Madisen Smith, playing 40 minutes for the second straight game, scored a season-high 24 points, but the Mountaineers (16-6, 7-4) saw their four-game win streak snapped.
The league’s fourth-leading scorer, Martin came in averaging 17.9 points per game but shot 2-of-15 overall and missed all six of her 3-point tries. The junior guard failed to score in double figures for only the second time this season and the fourth time in her last 55 games.
Iowa State’s Madison Wise did a clamp-down job defending Martin, though many times they sent two defenders at her.
“Mattie’s main thing is to defend. She likes it, she’s good at it, and it’s changed our team,” Fennelly said.
After leading 33-26 at halftime, Iowa State seized control with a 28-11 edge in the their quarter. Scott scored 15 in the period.
Naomi Davenport chipped in 14 points for West Virginia, which committed 22 fouls to the Cyclones’ 12.
Carelton made 9-of-10 at the foul line where Iowa State finished 17-of-22.
“Carelton hesitates, she changes speeds, and when our players relax she turns the corner,” Carey said. “She knows how to play the game.”
West Virginia shot 37 percent from the floor and made 9-of-27 from 3-point range, with Smith sinking 5-of-10.
