Iowa State Routs Grambling State 90-61
Iowa State opened its 2026-27 women's basketball season with a 90-61 win over Grambling State at Hilton Coliseum.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Basketball
Iowa State won its season opener 90-61 over Grambling State on November 2 at Hilton Coliseum, leading 53-23 at halftime and winning the game wire-to-wire. The victory extended the Cyclones' season-opener winning streak to 32 consecutive games.
Why it matters
The win gives Iowa State an early statement performance and continues a long run of season-opening success in Ames. The margin and rebounding edge show a deep rotation that could carry into the coming season.
The official box score shows Iowa State's 90-61 win, a 61-34 rebounding edge including 15 offensive boards, and a Grambling State shooting line of 21-of-72 (29.2%). The stats do not yet show how the Cyclones will perform against higher-level competition later in the season.
The players
Iowa State Cyclones
The women's basketball program of Iowa State University, which won its 32nd consecutive season opener.
Bill Fennelly
The longtime Iowa State women's basketball head coach who is scheduled to retire at the end of the 2026-27 season.
Tjasa Turnsek
Iowa State guard who led the Cyclones with 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting in the opener.
The details
Iowa State trailed early at 1-of-7 shooting before a 19-0 run over 4:10 in the first quarter, and eleven players saw action through three quarters. Tjasa Turnsek scored 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting, Mya Babbitt added 17 with five three-pointers, and the bench contributed 49 points.
Timeline
November 2, 2026: Iowa State defeats Grambling State 90-61 at Hilton Coliseum in Ames.
End of the 2026-27 season: Bill Fennelly is scheduled to retire as head coach.
Season Trajectory
Extending a 32-game season-opener streak places this win within a long-running pattern of Iowa State starting its seasons strongly. The result sets an early marker for a season in which the program's veteran coach is preparing for his final year.
The win shows the Cyclones' depth, with eleven players seeing action, which matters for fantasy and betting viewers tracking Iowa State's rotation. The early rebounding edge is a practical sign of how the team plans to play this season.
The takeaway
Iowa State's depth and early offensive surge show how a balanced rotation can overwhelm an opponent, a useful lesson for following the team through the season.
Further reading
Explore more Basketball coverage for the latest college and pro action in Ames.
Source note: This article includes information reported by USA TODAY.
