Iowa State women's basketball team opens Big 12 play with road win over Texas Tech

The Iowa State women’s basketball team’s march towards a Big 12 Conference title began with a nice road win Saturday.

Stephanie Soares grabbed 16 rebounds and scored 14 points as the 14^th-ranked Cyclones ( 9-2, 1-0) opened Big 12 play with an 81-58 win at Texas Tech (12-2, 0-1).

Ashley Joens added 22 points and seven rebounds for the Cyclones who entered the season as the preseason pick to win the league.

Iowa State certainly looked the part at times with four players scoring in double figures including Lexi Donarski, who scored 21 points, and Emily Ryan, who chipped in with 14.

The Cyclones shot 25-for-27 from the free throw line, hit four of their last five field goal attempts and held off a second-half surge by Texas Tech with a 13-2 run over the final 3 minutes and 53 seconds.

Next up for Iowa State: A showdown with West Virginia on Jan. 4 at Hilton Coliseum.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa State women's basketball team wins at Texas Tech to start off 1-0 in Big 12 play