AMES (AP) — Iowa State senior Fallon Ellis began her final home game by singing “The Star Spangled Banner.”
Ellis’s rendition of the national anthem paled in comparison to her brilliant Hilton Coliseum finale — which might have been enough to seal an NCAA tournament bid.
Ellis scored a career-high 18 points and unranked Iowa State stunned No. 3 Baylor 76-71 on Saturday, handing the Lady Bears their second straight loss after a 26-1 start and giving coach Bill Fennelly his 600th win.
Brynn Williamson added 17 for the Cyclones (18-10, 9-8 Big 12), who knocked off their second top-five opponent this season.
Nina Davis scored 16 points for the Lady Bears, who dropped consecutive games for just the second time since 2010.
The Cyclones took control with a 14-2 run, jumping ahead 61-52 midway through the second half on back-to-back 3s from Ellis.