Sooners Out-Toughed At Home By Iowa State

The Oklahoma Sooners women's basketball team was embarrassed in a big way at Iowa State earlier in the season, and was looking for a better performance Thursday night against the Cyclones.

However, not even a crowd of pink-clad fans for OU's Pack the Place Pink Night was enough to boost the Sooners to a win, as the Cyclones out-toughed the Sooners at Lloyd Noble Center, 72-68.

The win gave the Cyclones a sweep of the Sooners for the season and put them ahead of OU for second place in the conference.

The game was Oklahoma's Seventh Annual Pack the Place Pink game used to promote women's cancers awareness and the Play4Kay initiative of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Iowa State head coach Bill Fennelly and Oklahoma assistant coach Jan Ross were recognized among the many others in the crowd of 6,199 who have fought battles with cancer.

Sharane Campbell, Aaryn Ellenberg and Nicole Griffin all chipped in 14 points each for the Sooners, while Morgan Hook added 13 points.

Iowa State was led by Hallie Christofferson's double-double of 27 points and 10 rebounds. Chelsea Poppens scored 19 points.

Oklahoma never trailed in the first half, but could not pull away from Iowa State, who tied the scored eight times in the first period. The Sooners went on a 7-0 to take a 27-20 lead with 2:33 remaining in the half, but Iowa State responded with a 7-0 run of its own to tie the score at halftime.

The physical play continued in the second half with multiple players on both teams getting into foul trouble. The Sooners couldn't capitalize, and after two free throws from Campbell, the Cyclones made their move.

Down 51-49, ISU went on a 15-4 run to take a 64-55 lead with 4:46 remaining. The Sooners cut the lead to 65-61 with 3:01 remaining, but could get no closer, missing its next four shots before ISU closed the game at the free throw line.

The Sooners return to action Sunday at Kansas to take on the Jayhawks for the first time this season. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. CT.