The Cyclones had to fight their way through the first round. Michigan State played them tough all the way through. Ashley Joens’ outstanding perforamnce was enough to put them over the edge. She broke Bridget Carleton’s single game scoring mark of 31 points with 33 of her own.
Iowa State got off to a red hot start in the first quarter. Ashley Joens hit two quick back to back threes, and it looked like this one could close in on a triple digit mark by the end of the game. Michigan State never got far from behind early, Iowa State led by 7 points towards the end of the first quarter but never extended that lead to double digits in the first half.