Good News;The Longhorns are too formidable to overcome, and the Cyclones’ road woes continue.

It’s never easy or enjoyable to play the #5 team in the nation, but perhaps the Cyclones found it easier and more enjoyable (at least somewhat) after defeating the #7 team in the nation. The Cyclones go to Austin to play a Texas squad that has only lost three games this season, fresh off an exciting double-overtime battle at Hilton that saw them defeat Kansas State.

For both sides, the first quarter’s offensive performance was nothing short of spectacular. For the first two minutes of the game, Texas led 7-1, but the Cyclones remained undeterred. Though Texas shot 60% from the field in the first quarter, Iowa State was able to stay in the game thanks to some great deep-range looks from Hannah Belanger, Emily Ryan, and Kelsey Joens as well as the inside play of Audi Crooks. The Cyclones never had a 1-0 lead in the first quarter, but by the end of ten minutes, they were still within striking distance at 22–18.

For both sides, the initial part of the second quarter was largely similar. Great offensive play, some amazing passes, and a back-and-forth shootout were all present. After a 3-pointer by Arianna Jackson, Iowa State ultimately took the lead, 25–23. Up until 3:23 in the second quarter, when Aaliyah Moore gave the home team a 33-31 lead with an open look beneath the hoop, they would hold a narrow lead or tie with the Longhorns. Texas finished the half with a 13-2 run, controlling the game throughout those last three and a half minutes. Suddenly down by double digits, 43-33, Iowa State found nothing on the offensive end, shooting only 12.5% (1 of 8) with two turnovers.

The first quarter in which both teams truly locked in defensively was the third. Both sides had a lot more difficulty getting off the floor and making shots. Unfortunately for Iowa State, offensive difficulties aren’t exactly what you want to have when your team is behind. Sadly, the Cyclones were unable to cut the 10-point gap, even though they managed to cut it to as few as five points twice during the quarter. With a bucket in the last minute, Texas was able to tighten up and answer every Iowa State basket from the floor to the free-throw line, and with one quarter remaining, the Cyclones were still behind eight at 58-50.

By the end of the fourth quarter, the Cyclones had run out of gas. In the last frame, Madison Booker, Shay Holle, and Shaylee Gonzalez—the trio of Longhorn guards—took control. 52 of the Longhorns’ 81 points overall, including 15 of their 23 points in the last quarter, came from the three. Even though the Cyclones had a strong early shooting advantage, their 3-point shooting dropped off in the second half, and the Longhorns’ pressure on the ball proved to be too much to handle. Even though Iowa State gave it their all in the end, they are defeated by one of the top five teams in the nation, 81-60.

On the 21st, Iowa State travels to Houston and returns to the floor in need of a victory.