AMES, IA. – The Omaha women's basketball team fell 65-38 in it's 2021-22 season opener at No. 12 Iowa State on Tuesday in Ames, Iowa.
 
Leaders For Omaha
Senior Mariah Murdie led the way for the Mavericks with 15 points on six of nine shooting while also pacing the team with eight rebounds and four blocks. Senior Elena Pilakouta contributed eight Omaha points, while Sophomore Lauren Frost dished out four assists and grabbed six boards. 
 
Leaders for Iowa State
The Cyclones were led in the scoring column by Sophomore Lexi Donarski who scored 18 points, all from behind the three-point line. Ashley Joens also chipped in 15 points with three three-pointers while going a perfect four for four from the charity stripe. Sophomore Emily Ryan tied a Cyclone school record with nine steals.
 
Team Stats
Omaha shot 32.6% (15-of-46) to Iowa State's 35.9% (19-of-48). The Cyclones had the edge behind the three-point line with 10 three's to Omaha's two, and out-rebounded the Mavericks 40-33.

Inside the First Quarter
Pilakouta scored the first basket of the Mavericks season 1:34 in. Back-to-back buckets from Murdie pushed the lead to 10-9 late in the quarter.

Omaha shot 50% (6-12) and out-rebounded the Cyclones 11-8 to take a 12-11 lead heading into the second quarter.
 
Inside the Second Quarter
Iowa State went on 10-3 run to start the second quarter fueled by three's from Donarski and sophomore Aubrey Joens to take a 21-14 lead with 3:06 remaining in the half. 

Later, five straight points from Aubrey Joens pushed the Cyclone lead to 10, before a Murdie second-chance layup cut the Iowa State lead to 26-18.
 
Inside the Third Quarter
Pilakouta scored Omaha's first four points of the second half, her second basket bringing the Mavericks back within single digits.

Iowa State then went on a 15-4 run behind seven points from Ryan and took a 45-27 lead going into the final quarter.
 
Inside the Fourth Quarter
The Cyclones managed to build a 57-31 lead midway through the fourth quarter behind four buckets from beyond the arc and then maintained the lead on the way to the 65-38 victory.

Next Up
The Mavericks are back in action on Saturday Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. against the Creighton Bluejays at Wayne and Eileen Ryan Athletic Center and D.J. Sokol Arena.