Griffin, No. 22 Huskers beat Cyclones

Kelsey Griffin scored 15 points and a key layup to help No. 22 Nebraska break open a tight game midway through the second half and pull away for a 62-49 win over Iowa State on Wednesday night.

Keira Hardy added 14 points for Nebraska (18-4, 6-2 Big 12) and Jelena Spiric had 11.

Toccara Ross led Iowa State (16-6, 4-5) with 14 points and Megan Ronhovde added 13.

The Cornhuskers never trailed, but the Cyclones hung tough, despite playing without point guard Lyndsey Medders, who sustained a concussion at their afternoon shootaround.

Iowa State tied the game at 24 on Rachel Pierson's basket with 5:34 remaining in the first half. But Nebraska went on a 9-2 run to end the half, going up 33-26 on Griffin's layup with 29 seconds left.

Iowa State cut Nebraska's lead after the half, closing to 36-33 on Ross' free throw with 12:50 remaining.

But Griffin hit a driving layup to stop the Cyclone run and start a 14-5 Nebraska surge that broke the game open.

The Huskers took a 50-38 lead on Griffin's free throws with 7:31 left and stretched the lead to 18 when Hardy made a pair of free throws with 3:21 remaining.

Nebraska dominated the game defensively in the second half, using a full-court press and tough one-on-one defense to force Iowa State into taking poor, often hurried shots.

The Cyclones were just 8-for-27 from the field in the second half. Nebraska doubled Iowa State at the free throw line, making all 16 of its attempts while the Cyclones were 8-for-12.