The Iowa State women erased an 11-point second half deficit to down Illinois 79-68 in Ames Sunday night and advance to the “Sweet 16.” Desiree Francis capped a crucial run by the Cyclones with back-to-back threes to give Iowa State the lead midway through the second half. Cyclone coach Bill Fennelly said Francis’ three help keep his team from falling into a panic.Fennelly says it was a great college basketball game played the way it’s supposed to be played.Guard Stacy Frese says after struggling in the opening half the Cyclones remained confident. She says they realized they weren’t playing their best basketball and were still in the game. Iowa State heads to Kansas City to play Penn State Saturday. The Iowa State men head to Auburn Hills, Michigan for Thursday night’s midwest regional semifinal against U-C-L-A. The Cyclones advanced to the “Sweet 16” with a 79-60 win over Auburn in the Metrodome on Saturday. Cyclone coach Larry Eustachy says he is happy for the players and the fans.Trailing by three early in the first half the Cyclones took command of the game. Guard Jammal Tinsley says the team seems to continue coming up with the runs when they need them to win a game. Tinsley says the Cyclones are looking forward to the next step.
