Iowa State Routes Nicholls State 68-44

Tjasa Turnsek posted her first career double-double as the Cyclones improved to 2-0 at Hilton Coliseum.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Basketball

Iowa State defeated Nicholls State 68-44 at Hilton Coliseum before a crowd of 8,819. Tjasa Turnsek led all scorers with 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Sienna Harvey added a career-high 15 points.

Why it matters

The Cyclones pulled away with 7-0 and 9-0 runs in each half, winning the battle of the boards 51-30 and outscoring Nicholls State 46-14 in the paint. The result moves Iowa State to 2-0 on the season, while Nicholls State falls to 1-1.

Iowa State missed 15 of its 20 3-point attempts yet still won comfortably, leaning on a 51-30 rebounding edge and 46-14 scoring advantage in the paint. Nicholls State shot just 25 percent from the field.

The players

Tjasa Turnsek

Turnsek is an Iowa State forward who scored a game-high 18 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in her first career double-double.

Sienna Harvey

Harvey is an Iowa State guard who scored a career-high 15 points in the Cyclones' win over Nicholls State.

The details

Turnsek played just under 29 minutes and Mya Babbitt added 11 points off the bench, making three of Iowa State's five 3-pointers. Ashleigh Connor's hustle on a loose ball set up Harvey's 3-pointer that began a 7-0 run.

Game played November 5, 2026 at Hilton Coliseum in Ames.

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Season Trajectory

Iowa State improved to 2-0 with a rebounding-driven win that suggests early-season defensive identity. Nicholls State dropped to 1-1 as the Cyclones opened the season at home.

Turnsek's first career double-double adds a frontcourt option for Iowa State as conference play approaches. Fantasy managers tracking rebounding can note Turnsek's 13-rebound performance in her first start-level workload.

The takeaway

Iowa State's win came from rebounding and defense rather than shooting, a formula that can travel even on nights when perimeter shots are not falling. Watch whether the Cyclones keep controlling the glass as the schedule gets tougher.