Ames, Iowa — Lexi Donarski scored 22 points Tuesday night as No. 8 Iowa beat SIU-Edwardsville 93-43.
The Cyclones (6-1) were playing Sunday in Portland, Oregon, just 48 hours after returning home around 5:45 a.m. Monday after losing to North Carolina.
“We are always excited to play,” said Donarski. “I think we were really eager to do it again after what we had in Portland. The sooner this game, the better.”
Emily Ryan contributed 13 points to Iowa State University. Ashley Joens and Stephanie Soares each scored her 11th. Soares also she recorded 10 her rebounds.
Donalski made 7 of 13 shots from the floor, made all 6 free throws and had 6 assists.
“I thought we played hard,” said Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly. “Lexi and Emily were really good. increase.”
Olivia Clayton and Ajul Tasa each scored seven points in SIU-Edwardsville (0-6), but shot just 26.2% in the match.
The Cyclones used a 15-for-5 run to gain control in the first quarter. Donarski made a layup and hit two free throws to give Iowa State his 26-11 lead.
Another 8-0 run early in the second quarter allowed the Cyclones to build a 38-17 advantage. His fourth consecutive free throw for Joens put him 44-19.
SIU-Edwardsville coach Samantha Quigley-Smith said, “They have five[players]and two players off the bench who can score in double figures at any given time.” You have to be able to protect someone one-on-one, and I don’t know if we’ve done a great job of that.”
Iowa State shot 52.9% (18 of 34) in the first half and scored 17 points from turnovers.
Cyclones’ lead eventually extended to 62-22 early in the third quarter.
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Iowa State has made a strong comeback after suffering its first loss of the season. The Cyclones should see him finish in the top 10 for the 12th straight time in next week’s poll.
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SIU-Edwardsville: Play the second game of the six-game road swing in Louisville on Dec. 6.
Iowa: The cyclone will hit Iowa 10th on December 7th.
