Lincoln - It was a tale of two halves for the Nebraska women’s basketball team against No. 14 Iowa State Saturday afternoon. After playing the Cyclones even in the first half, Nebraska watched Iowa State drain 7-of-11 three-pointers and 15-of-22 second-half field goals overall to pull away with an 82-71 victory in front of a season-high crowd of 5,898 at the Devaney Center and a FOX Sports Net national television audience.

With the loss, the Huskers fell to 12-8 overall and 2-5 in Big 12 Conference play, while Iowa State improved to 15-5 overall and 3-5 in the league.

Nebraska coach Paul Sanderford was pleased with his team’s effort despite falling short against the Cyclones.

“I thought we played hard and battled all day long,” Sanderford said. “I was proud of the way all of our players played. At the same time, I don’t think this is a moral victory for us. There are no moral victories in this league, only wins and losses. I am pleased with our effort but disappointed that we lost.”

The Huskers battled toe-to-toe with the Cyclones in the first half, as the lead changed hands six times and neither team led by more than six points. NU, which was held to under 41 percent shooting in five of its first six conference games, enjoyed one of its best shooting halves of the league season. The Huskers connected on 14-of-27 first-half field goal attempts, including 5-of-10 three-point tries to keep the game tied at 36 at halftime.

NU trailed 28-23 before back-to-back three-pointers by Shannon Howell and Margaret Richards gave the Huskers a one-point lead with 4:47 left in the half.

The Huskers held ISU All-American Angie Welle in check in the first half, holding her to two points and one rebound in just seven minutes after picking up two early fouls. With their main inside threat on the bench, the Cyclones’ long-range shooting kept them in the contest. Starting guards Lindsey Wilson and Tracey Gahan combined for 21 of ISU’s 36 first-half points.

Welle took control in the early stages of the second half, keying an 11-3 run in the first 2:35 of the half, as ISU pushed its lead to 48-39. Despite the early foul trouble, Welle finished with a double-double, scoring 18 points while pulling down 10 boards on her way to breaking ISU’s career scoring record held by Megan Taylor (1,886 points). Welle, who broke the scoring mark on a layup with 55 seconds left in the game, joined Gahan (23) and Wilson (20) in double figures to lead the Cyclones

Despite shooting 32 percent in the second half, Nebraska cut a 13-point ISU lead to six points at 60-54 after Katie Robinette’s jumper with 8:31 remaining, but would not get closer, as Welle and Gahan combined for 13 points in a 18-4 Cyclone run to push the lead to 75-58 with 4:34 remaining. ISU shot 68 percent from the floor after halftime and finished with 14 three-pointers, tying the Nebraska single-game opponent record.

Keasha Cannon kept the Huskers close throughout the game, scoring a career-high 22 points, while tying her career high with nine assists. The junior, who missed the first meeting in January, also added six rebounds and four steals in 37 minutes. Cannon was one of three Huskers in double figures, as Robinette added 11 points and six rebounds, and Shannon Howell chipped in 10 points, including a pair of three-pointers.

Gahan and Wilson combined for 10 of ISU’s 14 three-pointers in the win. ISU also finished with a 38-29 advantage on the boards, including a 24-12 edge in the second half.

The Huskers return to action Wednesday evening when they travel to No. 15 Baylor for a 7 p.m. contest with the Bears. NU’s next home game is Saturday, Feb. 2, when Missouri comes to the Devaney Center for a 7:05 p.m. tip.

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