March 2025
The independent student newspaper serving Iowa State since 1890.
TOURNAMENT SPECIAL
‘HE’S A ONCE IN A FOREVER TYPE OF GUY’
IOWA STATE DAILY
Tamin Lipsey’s mental and physical toughness Written by Brett Twelmeyer
wrapping it up, playing through it, obviously. It’s not anything too serious where I need to sit out.” As long as the injuries aren’t too serious, Lipsey tries to work through them. If there is any way he can continue to play and make an impact for the team, he is going to do it. Now, with sophomore forward Milan Momcilovic out, the next-man-up mentality has swept over the team. Lipsey added that having multiple people out is something that the team cannot afford. Small injuries like these aren’t uncommon for Lipsey, and it’s something Otzelberger has seen Lipsey fight through before. “Whether it’s the thumb or, you know, we could talk about anything that’s happened over the last three years, I don’t take it for granted,” Otzelberger said. “But I recognize that in most cases, things that he’s playing with would hinder others from playing well and most probably wouldn’t play.” Fighting through the pain is what Lipsey tends to do. Finding a balance between toning things down enough to recover but still being aggressive enough to be successful can be challenging. It all goes back to Lipsey’s mental toughness. “He’s a once in a forever type of guy,” Otzelberger said. “When you talk about the level of mental toughness he has and physical toughness that he has. I’ve done this almost 20 years at this level. There’s been some guys that have those skills. [Lipsey]’s kind of on his own line in terms of his ability to do that. Mom and dad deserve a lot of credit for that.” Lipsey still got a good amount of shots up in each game despite his thumb. He was 3-for-8 against the Mountaineers and 4-for-7 against the Knights, but never made it to the free throw line in either of those games. On defense, Lipsey was his usual self, forcing four steals across both games. That confidence in his shot has grown throughout the season and the past few games. Though he shot 1-for-5 from deep in the past two contests, it proves that his thumb isn’t stopping him from putting shots up. Lipsey’s shooting has shown he has confidence in himself, much like Otzelberger and his teammates. “Our guys realize that, you know, he practices, he plays, he does things like it does and sets a standard,” Otzelberger said.
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Iowa State Cyclones guard Tamin Lipsey (3) brings up the ball against Indiana University Indianapolis, Hilton Coliseum, Nov. 18, 2024. Photo by Luis Rodriguez
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MES – It’s no secret that Tamin Lipsey is one of the biggest difference makers for Iowa State. The junior guard has made himself known as one of the top defenders on the team, in the Big 12 and in the country. Though it doesn’t always show up in the stat sheets, the extra effort plays he makes, combined with his ability to control the team and create plays, makes him a threat to all opposing teams. Throughout his two-and-a-half seasons as a Cyclone, Lipsey– an Ames native–has dealt with his fair share of injuries. Last season, he did not play against TCU due to a shoulder injury and had surgery after the season ended. Lipsey has been bruised and battered time and time again, but it’s expected–especially with how he plays. “[Lipsey] is able to make… plays that nobody else can make like chase down a loose ball, you know, get the offensive rebound,” Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger said. “I think in the realm of, you know, as he’s dealing with whatever he’s dealing with, making that play galvanizes our team, energizes our team.” Those things he has dealt with are a number of minor injuries over the past seasons, but he plays through the pain. It’s something Otzelberger commends Lipsey for. That pain and those ailments have come via his aggressive, physical play-style. On defense, Lipsey makes extra effort plays, dives for loose balls and leads the team in steals with 40 through 18 games. On offense, he has been credited for his ability to drive, attack and finish. “It’s a testament to how hard he plays,” senior center Dishon Jackson said. “He’s just out there flying around, diving on the
floor, taking the ball from dudes, and it’s just like, you can only do that for so long, I would think, but he does it every time.” The physicality Lipsey plays with is complementary with how fellow guards Keshon Gilbert and Curtis Jones attack the rim. Lipsey fights his way in, Gilbert uses swift, tough shots to score and Jones has one of the best floaters in the country. “Each one is unique and they’re all effective,” Otzelberger said. “So certainly a benefit to our offense and what’s allowed us to be effective. You know, getting points in the rim, or at the rim and in the paint and getting in the foul line.”
“Lipsey’s shooting has shown he has confidence in himself, much like Otzelberger and his teammates.”
Tamin Lipsey signals to his teammates during the 2024 Cy-Hawk matchup, Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, Iowa, Dec. 12, 2024. Photo by Jacob Rice
Most recently, Lipsey is now dealing with a thumb injury on his right hand, but it seems to be minor. It’s something that started to bother him during the West Virginia game and is something he fought through during the UCF game. “Jammed it pretty bad,” Lipsey said. “It’s been pretty swollen. Catching the ball has been sort of sensitive, so just been
BI G 12 TOUR NAME NT SP E C I AL 2025 | 3
‘THERE’S SOME REALLY AWESOME THINGS HAPPENING’
ADDY BROWN The elusive triple-double Written by Ford Griffith
T.J. Otzelberger reflects on his team’s success Written by Cayden Storm
Addy Brown (24) dribbles the ball around Southern University defender Jocelyn Tate (10) during the game vs. Southern University, Hilton Coliseum, Nov. 10, 2024. Iowa State Men’s Basketball Head Coach T.J. Otzelberger speaks to Dishon Jackson (1) during the Iowa State vs. Baylor University basketball game, Jan. 4, 2025. Photo by Josue Aleman
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MES — On Feb. 13, Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger met with the media for his regular weekly press conference, but it didn’t start off as expected. Otzelberger started his press conference with an opening statement — something he rarely does — that he used to reflect on the success of Iowa State’s program. “I had that moment of perspective and appreciation for all of it,” Otzelberger said. The last couple of seasons have been special for the Cyclones. It may be easy for people to forget about the past and to feel as though the current level of success is the standard for Iowa State, but Otzelberger knows from experience that getting the program to this level hasn’t been easy. “I would just challenge our players, our fans, everybody that’s a part of it. Take time for those moments, too, because there’s some really awesome things happening in front of our eyes,” Otzelberger said. “You don’t really enjoy them and appreciate them when they are happening, they can pass you by. And that’s a shame when you miss out on those joys. Because like I said, I’ve been here when we hadn’t had them.”
“Again, it starts with gratitude and thankfulness to our fans, appreciation for all the heroic things our guys are doing and excitement and enthusiasm for what is still in front of us this season.” Otzelberger knows all about being at Iowa State during down periods. He came to Iowa State as an assistant coach in 2006 under former head coach Greg McDermott and did not experience a single winning season in his first five years with the program. On top of that, when Otzelberger returned to Ames to become the head coach, Iowa State was coming off of a 2-22 season, its worst winning percentage in program history. Since Otzelberger took over, Iowa State has made it to three straight NCAA Tournaments, including two trips to the Sweet
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16, with an almost guaranteed fourth trip to the tournament on the way this season. That is a program turnaround that cannot be overlooked. Otzelberger gave a majority of the credit to this season’s success to the players. “For me, it’s an honor to have such guys on the team and in the program that work the way they do, because there’s all these things that are uncommon that I think sometimes we have to realize are really not common,” Otzelberger said. Otzelberger particularly praised his team’s toughness, most notably junior guard Tamin Lipsey, who Otzelberger called “the greatest winner” he had ever been around. “The guy has a broken thumb, practices hard every day, competes hard every game, and actually is hunting his 3 more and shooting it better because of his mental toughness. Let’s never take that for granted,” Otzelberger said. Otzelberger would go on to mention every single player on the roster by name during his opening statement, giving each one of them credit for the success of the team, something that is certainly appreciated by his players. “Nobody’s going to have my back like T.J. [Otzelberger],” senior center Dishon Jackson said.
Otzelberger also made sure to praise the Iowa State fans, who have shown up all season long, whether at home in Hilton Coliseum or on the road in the opponent’s arena. “I’d like to thank our fans that came out for us the other night at UCF. Unbelievable, amazing feeling when you play on the road and your fans come out and then it almost kind of shakes the other team,” Otzelberger said. Fan turnout is just one of the byproducts that comes from turning the program around like Otzelberger has done. “As we shift gears and come back to Hilton, we’ve also been fortunate to have the best home crowds I’ve ever been a part of,” Otzelberger said. Otzelberger’s press conference served as a reminder of what goes into building a successful collegiate program. It takes everyone from the head coach to the fans to get to where Iowa State is at now. “I’ve reflected a lot,” Otzelberger said. “Again, it starts with gratitude and thankfulness to our fans, appreciation for all the heroic things our guys are doing and excitement and enthusiasm for what is still in front of us this season.”
Keshon Gilbert (10), Tamin Lipsey (3), and Joshua Jefferson (2) huddle with teammates before tip-off against the University of Nebraska Omaha, Dec. 15, 2024. Photo by Andrew Jesus
Photo by August Anderson
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MES — Sophomore forward Addy Brown is known for filling the box score with impressive stats, but she is yet to reach the stat-stuffing pinnacle, the triple-double. Only three Cyclones have ever reached that mark, and none have done it since 2014 when Nikki Moody had 14 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists against Wyoming. It seems to be inevitable that Brown is next on that list. As a freshman, Brown had 10 double-doubles, and she has five thus far during her sophomore campaign. Most recently, Brown had a 17-point, 10-assist and nine-rebound double-double when she got subbed out with two minutes and 38 seconds remaining against the Jayhawks. “I apologized to her,” Iowa State head coach Bill Fennelly said. “She was upset. But I don’t believe in that, and she played 37 minutes. The game was out of hand. I’m not gonna leave a kid in just to get a stat.” Brown has had multiple games where she has been close to a triple-double, but none have been closer than the game against Kansas.
“A player like Brown, who has essentially played every position on the floor at some point during the season, provides versatility to the Cyclones’ game. Not only does she score the ball at a high level, but she creates opportunities for her teammates better than most as well.” “It’s always like, dang, one rebound, I could’ve had it,” Brown said. “Life goes on, we have plenty more games left, so I’m just gonna try and get it another game, I guess. It would have been pretty cool to snag it there in Kansas.” The Derby, Kansas, native has been one of the most consistent players for the Cyclones, especially since conference play began
in early January. In Big 12 games, Brown is second in points per game and leads in both rebounds and assists for Iowa State. “I just told her, get it in the next game,” Fennelly said. “She’s gonna get it at some point. I mean, her skillset is too good.” The skillset is not something that Brown just magically developed, either. She has been doing it since high school. As a senior in high school, Brown averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two-and-a-half steals per game, dominating the competition. “I think I did it once in high school, and it’s something that’s pretty hard to get,” Brown said. “I think if I’m able to get that, it’d be cool. If not, it’s okay.” Her lone high school triple-double did not seem too hard to achieve, resulting in a 66-15 win. She posted 14 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds against the Maize Eagles. A player like Brown, who has essentially played every position on the floor at some point during the season, provides versatility to the Cyclones’ game. Not only does she score the ball at a high level, but she creates opportunities for her teammates better than most as well. “The triple-double thing is a big deal,” Fennelly said. “It’s a great stat. I think in most cases, it shows you can do most things on a basketball court. I think she still can. Just because she missed it by one rebound doesn’t mean she can’t still do it.” The value Brown provides to the Cyclones is much more important than reaching a stat that would etch her name in the record books. “I mean, we put [Brown] in a lot of different positions, so I think just showing her talent capability has been something cool and special for this team,” sophomore guard Arianna Jackson said. “I think it’s what makes us hard to guard.” Brown is oftentimes a matchup nightmare, standing at 6-foot 2-inches, but moves and handles the ball like a guard. Against TCU, where sophomore center Audi Crooks had 6-foot 7-inch Sedona Prince occupied, there weren’t many great matchups and a career-high 31 points came from it. “Not many people can match up with all of us, especially [Brown],” Jackson said. “I definitely think it makes us dangerous, for sure.” Brown was not trying to get back in the game against Kansas, even after realizing she was so close to it. She even reflected on a few times when she and her teammates had unintentionally stolen rebounds from each other. “I had a couple of those, even with Kelsey [Joens], because one game she had nine rebounds and I stole one from her, so I guess she got me back there,” Brown said. “But no, I mean that game just is what it is, and we’ll try and get it another game.”
The Cyclones beat Kansas 93-80, and the final few minutes would all be considered garbage time, so Fennelly was not going to risk an injury for the accolade. Quite frankly, that is also just not how Fennelly coaches. Despite the close calls and consistent efforts from Brown, Fennelly is not going to help her out by playing her just to get stats. If she earns the triple-double, she earns it, but he is not going to hand it to her just to say she got it. “If you do it in the flow of the game, yeah, we’re gonna run one more play for you, sure,” Fennelly said. “But just to leave her in to hopefully get another rebound, I don’t believe in that.”
Addy Brown (24) shoots a free throw during the “Play4Kay” game against Texas Christian University, Feb. 2, 2025. Photo by Elizabeth Lane
BI G 12 TOUR NAME NT SP E C I AL 2025 | 5
WELCOME TO THE CURTIS JONES SHOW
MILAN MOMCILOVIC How his two-year journey has impacted the Cyclones Written by Pavle Markovic
Written by Brett Twelmeyer
Curtis Jones goes for a layup during the 2024 Cy-Hawk matchup, Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, Iowa, Dec. 12, 2024. Photo by Jacob Rice
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MES – Throughout his two seasons as a Cyclone, senior guard Curtis Jones has emerged as one of the most prolific scorers in school history. Whether he shoots a floater in the lane or a 3-pointer from way outside, Jones seemingly always finds ways to score. It’s a quality that everyone looks for in a basketball player. Rebounds and assists are important, but the points are what everyone looks for first. Jones fits that mold perfectly, and he did it even before his time at Iowa State, and head coach T.J. Otzelberger took notice of it.
Climbing up the ranks With not a lot of options right out of high school, Jones–a Minneapolis native–took his talents to the junior college level at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa. In his lone season with the Warriors, he started all 24 games, shot 41.4% from the field and was a 38.7% 3-point shooter. It caught the eye of some Division I programs, and Jones transferred to Buffalo the following season. At Buffalo, Jones didn’t see too much court time in his 28 games, playing 12 minutes on average and scoring 2.5 points per game. A season later, Jones entered the starting lineup and took advantage of his opportunity. Jones started all 31 games, played a career-high 31.5 minutes on average, shot 41% from the field again and scored 15 points per game. After he got his shot, Jones went back to the portal in hopes of once again rising through the ranks of college basketball. That was when Otzelberger and the Cyclones came knocking. “It felt like his game had a lot of layers,” Otzelberger said. “To really understand his journey, where he was at, what he was doing and how he was willing to work, it has to point much more back to his character and work ethic.”
Becoming a Cyclone Jones knew right away that the culture of Iowa State was one that he wanted to be a part of. His visit and calls with the Cyclone staff made Iowa State feel like the perfect place to play. “They had a great culture, I could tell,” Jones said. “On my visit, it seemed like everybody was pretty close, so that was pretty cool. That’s what stuck out to me. It was a great first impression.” Right away, Jones and his teammates created a strong bond, which has helped them in their on-court performance as well. “[We are] real close friends,” senior guard Keshon Gilbert said. “I can go to him for anything.” Like his first season at Buffalo, Jones came in off the bench to provide minutes and a spark on offense for the Cyclones.
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Throughout the first portion of the season, Jones struggled to see shots fall. In non-conference games, Jones scored 22 points to set his season-high against Prairie View A&M but failed to score more than 10 in seven non-conference games. The first stretch of conference games was an adjustment for Jones as well, considering the Big 12 was one of, if not the best conference in college basketball a season ago. As Jones progressed through the Big 12 gauntlet, he finally found a groove. The first four conference games saw Jones score a combined 12 points, but after those, he scored over 10 throughout the rest of the conference slate. Jones’ ability to become a consistent scorer throughout most Big 12 games helped Iowa State go 13-5 in the conference. “He’s done the work that he said he would do prior to coming,” Otzelberger said. Though he was up-and-down in Iowa State’s Big 12 Tournament championship run, he was the one who kept the Cyclones alive in the NCAA Tournament. As the games got tougher, Jones got hotter, scoring 11 against South Dakota State, 14 against Washington State and finished his season with a season-high 26 points in Iowa State’s loss to Illinois in the Sweet 16. When Jones announced he would return at the beginning of this season, Cyclone fans were ecstatic. The guy who was expected to become the leading scorer was returning, and with returning players like guards Gilbert and Tamin Lipsey, along with forward Milan Momcilovic, things were looking up for Iowa State. Then came the question of whether or not Jones would be a starter. At the start of his senior season, Jones started the first game. “I got the same role whether I start or come off the bench,” Jones said. “It’s just about the productivity you put out when you’re on the court.” However, that was short-lived, as Jones would come in off the bench in every game, which proved to be a working formula until Momcilovic was sidelined with a broken hand for seven games. That threw off the dynamic that worked for the Cyclones. Iowa State went 3-4 over that stretch, and Jones hit a bit of a slump after scoring a careerhigh 33 points against Arizona State. The next three games saw Jones shoot 3-for-21 from deep and Iowa State lost all three. “Losing sucks,” Jones said. “Winning is fun.” However, once Momcilovic was back, it seemed Jones was too, with 24 points in Momcilovic’s return. Jones has scored 10 or more points in all but five games this season and 20 or more in 10 games. All of that has allowed him to be the leading scorer on the team this season with 17.2 points per game. “He’s the most consistent player there is,” Otzelberger said. “Whatever’s thrown at him, that consistency shows up for [Jones] every single time that he takes the floor.” But it isn’t always about the amount of points he gets, it’s about where he shoots from. Not only does Jones make his 3’s, as he is a 36.8% shooter outside, but he shoots from anywhere. Sometimes, if he has the space, Jones will let it fly multiple feet back from the 3-point line, but it isn’t all that uncommon. In fact, Jones’ teammates say he shoots from there in practice. It goes back to his ability to create separation even when there isn’t any. “He’s going to make an advantage every single time he gets the ball in his hands,” junior forward Joshua Jefferson said.
An uncertain future In December, the NCAA ruled that junior college players who would have lost eligibility after the 2024-25 season would be granted an extra year. Jones, who spent one season at Indian Hills, still doesn’t know if he can return to Iowa State next season. With two years at Buffalo and another two as a Cyclone under his belt, Jones will have played four seasons at the NCAA level at the end of this season. As of now, Otzelberger and Iowa State are planning and preparing for next season with the mindset that Jones will not return. “At this point, we’re proceeding like there won’t be another year,” Otzelberger said. “[Jones] has had four years of playing in Division I. Certainly we would love to have him another year if that were a possibility, but we have nothing definitive.”
Should Jones return, he would do so with the likes of Lipsey, Momcilovic and frontcourt players in center Dishon Jackson and Jefferson. If Jones is allowed another season, it is still uncertain whether he would take it. For now, the planning process will move forward without him, but that still could change.
“As the games got tougher, Jones got hotter, scoring 11 against South Dakota State, 14 against Washington State and finished his season with a season-high 26 points in Iowa State’s loss to Illinois in the Sweet 16.” Regardless, Jones has been a top-tier asset to the Cyclones on the offensive end for the past two seasons. “Both years have been pretty fun,” Jones said. “I didn’t have expectations. I didn’t really know how good we [were] going to be, but I’m pretty happy with the way it turned out.”
Milan Momcilovic holds up three fingers after a teammate scores a three during the 2024 Cy-Hawk matchup, Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, Iowa, Dec. 12, 2024. Curtis Jones (5) attempts a 3-pointer against Morgan State University, Hilton Coliseum, Dec. 22, 2024 Photo by Luis Rodriguez
Photo by Jacob Rice
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MES — Sophomore forward Milan Momcilovic is looking to finish his second collegiate season by helping take Iowa State deep into March after winning the Big 12 Tournament and making Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament a season ago. But this season hasn’t gone to plan for the 6-foot 8-inch forward, as he’s dealt with a non-shooting hand injury he sustained during practice that caused him to miss a month. At that time, the Cyclones had their first four Big 12 losses, which caused Iowa State to drop in the standings. Since Momcilovic has returned, Iowa State has gotten back to its winning ways, as the Cyclones have gone 4-2 since his return to the starting lineup. However, while this injury highlights his second season in college basketball, it doesn’t discount what Momcilovic has done for Iowa State and the improvements he has made from year one to year two. Momcilovic came to Iowa State after an impressive four years at Pewaukee High School in Wisconsin, where Momcilovic scored 2,000 points, won three consecutive state championships and was named Wisconsin Mr. Basketball in his senior season. “My high school career was definitely a good one to remember,” Momcilovic said. “The biggest thing was winning back-to-back-to-back, not many people did that in Wisconsin.” His success got Momcilovic offers from many different schools all over the country, but one school stuck out more than most: Iowa State. “Definitely had a lot of places to go, but something that stuck out to me was how committed to me they were from day one,” Momcilovic said. “They started talking to me very early and never wavered throughout the process and you could tell they really wanted me.” At the time of his commitment, the sixth-seeded Cyclones were coming off an embarrassing 59-41 first-round loss to 11th-seeded Pittsburgh in the NCAA Tournament. This season was the second under head coach T.J. Otzelberger. He had just taken over a program that was 2-22 the year prior and led it to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, with more expected on the horizon. But to replicate that success, Otzelberger needed to add players who brought a high skill set and were committed to his style of basketball, and Momcilovic was the type of guy he needed. “Milan has an elite skill level, but also the ability to make his teammates better on both ends of the floor,” Otzelberger said. “Offensively, he shoots the ball with great range and is an extremely gifted passer, allowing him to be an effective
playmaker. He is a highly competitive defensive player. Milan is consistently active on the offensive and defensive glass.” Entering his first season, Momcilovic had looked to make a name for himself by getting an opportunity to showcase what he had done in high school at the Division I level at Iowa State. “Coach [Otzelberger] told me a week or two before the first game that I was starting, so that was pretty cool to start my first game as a freshman,” Momcilovic said. “The goal was just to play good.” Right from the get-go, Momcilovic would gain trust from Otzelberger enough to be in the starting lineup not just to start the season but the whole season, as Momcilovic was one of only three Cyclones in the 2023-24 season to start every game. But of those three, Momcilovic was the only freshman of that group. The other two were then-junior Keshon Gilbert, who had just transferred over from UNLV, and senior Tre King. These three players tied a school record for the most games played and started, but for Momcilovic to do it as a true freshman, while averaging just over 30 minutes per game, was abnormal. It was especially unique since he also averaged double figures, as Momcilovic was one of four scorers on last season’s Iowa State team to score double digits, with an average of 10.9 points per game on a 42.4% field goal clip. However, one of the biggest aspects of Momcilovic’s game was to help space the floor and provide outside perimeter shooting, which he did, as he was second to only then-junior Curtis Jones last season in 3-point shooting, as he went 61for-170 (35.9%) from deep. While Momcilovic did go on to struggle shooting the ball in the latter half of conference play, he still managed to help the Cyclones to a 13-5 Big 12 record, while having integral performances against the team above them in the standings — the Houston Cougars. In the two games Momcilovic played against the then-No. 2 team in the country, he had hit the final couple of shots in Hilton Coliseum to upset Houston the first time. He would later be a big part of Iowa State’s dominating 69-41 Big 12 Tournament winning game against the Cougars, leading the team with 18 points. His performances in Kansas City and during the season helped earn Momcilovic spots on the Big 12 All-Freshman Team and the Big 12 Championship All-Tournament Team. Following that, Momcilovic would go on to help the Cyclones make it out of Omaha, Nebraska, by putting up 19 and 10 against South Dakota State and Washington State, respectively. While Iowa State’s season would end in the Sweet 16 in Boston to Illinois, it did not stray away from what Momcilovic and Iowa State had accomplished that season. “It meant a lot, just because it was a good first year,” Momcilovic said. “There were a lot of ups and downs, so kind of just managing that and being the same guy and being consistent every day because I had a lot of good moments and bad moments, so just trying to stay level-headed through it all because that’s what freshman year is all about.” But after having time to reflect before his second collegiate season, Momcilovic had an opportunity to build off his successes from year one, while growing from what he had experienced during that time as well. “Being better on defense, being better on rebounding and being more aggressive on offense,” Momcilovic said. That mindset helped Momcilovic carry his success over from year one to year two, as Momcilovic continues to play a huge role in the Cyclones’ successes this season. From a coaching perspective, Otzelberger noticed how Momcilovic had used his time over the offseason to help him become a better basketball player for his team by doing things he had initially wanted him to do with an increased emphasis on certain aspects of his game where he could improve. “He’s moving a lot better,” Otzelberger said. “His confidence to continue hunting shots has elevated, we’d like to continue to have him do that. We want him to be highly aggressive and we’ve seen progress there. Defensively and on the glass, he’s got a lot greater sense of pride in getting a stop, finishing a play on the glass or blocking out, those are winning things and he’s put greater focus on it.” The same goes for his teammates, who have noticed a change in Momcilovic’s game even after having such a successful freshman year a year prior. “Milan is keeping his head in the right place and shooting the ball at a high rate,” Jones said. “Last year he got into a little slump, but this year he’s super confident every time he steps on the floor.” “He’s expanded his game,” junior guard Tamin Lipsey said. “He’s been a threat at all times and obviously when he came back, we started playing better. He’s a big part of our
team. Defensively, I feel like he’s grown a lot from last year by getting faster and working on agility in the offseason, so I think his overall performance has improved.” So far in the 2024-25 season, Momcilovic still holds a double-digit average in points with 10.6 on a 42.2% field goal clip while still shooting the second-most 3-point shots on the team by going 44-for-111 (39.6%). But unlike his first year, Momcilovic experienced a different kind of adversity after sustaining an injury to his non-shooting hand in practice prior to Iowa State’s game against then-No. 9 Kansas in Ames. His injury would knock him out for nearly a month, as Momcilovic was forced to have surgery on his injured hand and had to watch the games in street clothes from the bench. During that time, the Cyclones struggled mightily in Momcilovic’s absence. Iowa State went 3-4 during the near month stretch, and the Cyclones had not lost a conference game before his injury. Three of those losses came one after the other, including the devastating 80-61 loss to Kansas State at home, which ended a 29-game win streak in Hilton Coliseum that was the second-best in program history. “It was definitely an interesting spot I was in,” Momcilovic said. “I’ve never really had surgery, so it was the first time I had surgery. Just being out for those four weeks was kind of a mental reset. Not being able to play, practice or do anything was just to clear the mind, enjoy the team and watch the games.” Even during this stretch, Momcilovic’s teammates admitted that the offensive game plan had to be altered because of the injury that forced the sophomore forward out for an extended time. “When he was out, we felt like it was a struggle to get going on the offensive side,” Lipsey said. “When he came back, I don’t know if it was the spacing or it’s his shooting ability, but the teams that came in had to switch up how they defended when he’s on the court.” Momcilovic made his timely return after Iowa State had just lost its third consecutive game on the road against Kansas and got the nod to start against TCU at home, with ESPN’s College GameDay in town. In his return, Momcilovic would help the Cyclones obtain a 30-point win over the Horned Frogs, as he scored 14 points on 5-of-9 field goal shooting, 4-of-7 from deep, all in 22 minutes of playing time. “Coming back in, I could see where I impacted the team,” Momcilovic said. “Whether they needed my floor spacing or my shooting, so just coming back in with a different mindset that I need to be aggressive to help this team out.”
“Milan is keeping his head in the right place and shooting the ball at a high rate.” This win helped break Iowa State’s three-game losing streak and would soon turn into a four-game winning streak before eventually dropping games on the road to now-No. 4 Houston and Oklahoma State. With the Cyclones looking to right the ship from these losses and contend in March, Momcilovic looks to play an integral part in that, while seeking to make a name for himself as his career rolls forward. “First of all, just bouncing back from the last two games,” Momcilovic said. “Everyone is getting healthy now so that’s good. Just finishing strong, win these three games and then go to the [Big 12] Tournament and hopefully win that and games in the NCAA Tournament. One day, I’d like to get to the NBA, but I just keep working hard and keep my head down, and whatever happens, happens.”
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EMILY RYAN
Five seasons as a Cyclone, ready to help coach the next generation Written by Kayde Sheaffer
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Emily Ryan (11) dribbles the ball past defender Jade Hill (4) during the women’s basketball game vs. University of St. Thomas, Nov. 14, 2024. Photo by August Anderson
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MES – Emily Ryan is embracing her Cyclone legacy in her final season as she aspires to be a coach after college and will continue to share her passion for the sport after graduation. Iqui serfero rpossimus molorrovit exceria ipsuntis dolut et vAs her final moments on the court draw near, the senior guard reflected on the lessons learned during her five years as a Cyclone. Inspired by her last season as a leader and the coaches who have influenced her, Ryan is now motivated to pursue a career in coaching, continuing the legacy she has built at Iowa State. “She’s like Rocco [Becht] for us, that’s the person they listen to, that’s the person they trust, that’s the person when things go wrong, Emily [Ryan] is usually the one who is like, ‘We’re good, let’s keep playing,’” Iowa State head coach Bill Fennelly said. “So it’s hard to believe that she is getting down to the end but she has been quite a person for our team and someone our players are lucky they got to play with.” Originally from the small town of Claflin, Kansas, Ryan has made a name for herself in Ames and beyond. Before Iowa State, Ryan attended Central Plains High School, where she was a state runner-up in tennis for her last three years in high school, alongside being a state runner-up for the high jump as a freshman. But even with her long list of athletic passions, Ryan bleeds basketball, which is shown through her hard work and dedication throughout her time at Iowa State. From start to finish, Ryan played 26 games her freshman year, during which time she grew as a player and earned a place on the Naismith Trophy Watch List for three straight years. Despite spending her five years earning awards and nominations for her skills and strong ability on the court, none of that mattered to Ryan. She would have preferred to look back at the legacy she left at Iowa State as someone who made a difference in the team and made it better than when she left it. As the team’s lone senior, Ryan was forced to become a leader because of her senior status and the gratitude she received for staying another year. However, she took the position with praise and turned it into her own. Without her, the season would have looked largely different, as her teammates have reflected that Ryan is the calming presence on the court who can keep them in check. “I am just the oldest on the team so that is just something that happens naturally,” Ryan said. “But also it comes from the amount of belief that coach [Fennelly] has instilled in me and that he trusts me, and so that helps other people trust me as well, so he has given me the opportunity to use my voice.” “Yeah I was super excited to have her back, obviously she’s kind of our leader, the only senior on the team,” sophomore center Audi Crooks said. “She’s just like a calming presence for us when we are on the floor and early on when we were
still trying to get those things figured out, she was kinda that consistent piece that was there last year, familiar face, familiar voice.” Known as being one of the loudest voices on the bench through giving calls and cheering on her teammates, Ryan has split her minutes between playing on the court and sideline coaching. Despite working with all the players equally on and off the court, Ryan has spent more time with a current freshman who will be taking over her role as a point guard when she graduates. “She’s paved a great path for me to try and follow, she’s been a great role model for me on the court, off the court, talking, actual skill stuff,” freshman guard Reagan Wilson said. “Every time I come off the court she is the first one to grab me before the coach even says anything to me. So I think that even shows great measure as to how much she’s helped me improve as a player, as a point guard, as a leader and just as a human.”
“Ryan bleeds basketball, which is shown through her hard work and dedication throughout her time at Iowa State.” An attribute that Ryan has been praised for during her guidance is how vocal she is on and off the court. Fennelly mentioned that her outspoken characteristics are something he never taught her and believes it is just her nature. Something that will make her a good coach in the near future. “She’s the most vocal player I think I have been around, maybe ever,” Fennelly said. “If you come to practice or you are right behind our bench you hear two voices all the time, hers and mine. And they listen to her a hell of a lot more than they listen to me, which is smart.” Building her legacy from the bottom up, her last season is where Ryan cemented her gift through leading on the court with her assists, holding a team-high of most assists in a game at 16, contributing to her 953 and counting career assists. Alongside her determination on the court, Ryan has become a leader not only to her teammates but to the world and the students of Iowa State. With her developed status, Ryan was able to use her position as a well-known athlete to bring attention to mental health and become an advocate for others dealing with personal struggles.
Ryan faced her own struggles that caused her to miss the first nine games of the 2023-24 season while seeking professional help for an impending eating disorder. Although she has returned to the season, Ryan continues to confront mental health challenges but remains a resilient voice for others. Demonstrating her leadership abilities both on and off the court, Ryan has served as a voice for her teammates and others around her. As she approaches the end of the season and her time on the Hilton Coliseum court, she hopes to use her leadership skills in a new role as a coach after completing her college career. “I do really want to get into coaching,” Ryan said. “Head coaching, probably not, but I definitely do want to get into coaching after college.” Fennelly and Ryan’s teammates wholeheartedly agree that her strong passion for coaching, developed during her years as a Cyclone, needs to be shared with other players and upcoming athletes around the world. Ryan possesses the qualities necessary to become a leader for many players. “She’ll be a great coach, and she really wants to be a coach,” Fennelly said. “We’ve already talked about some options moving forward and what’s the next step in her career. Obviously, she loves playing but she’ll be great at it.” Having the experience of playing college basketball for five years, and years before along with battling struggles on and off the court, Ryan has lived through the life of a basketball player and a student-athlete. Fennelly is one of Ryan’s biggest supporters, and he believes that in his profession, coaches phase in and out, and players need a coach who is committed and understanding, which is a quality Ryan holds firmly. “She’s lived it, and I think that is a unique thing that she’s going to bring to some schools,” Fennelly said. “She’s been a great player here and someone is going to get a great coach and I’m sure wherever she lands, she’ll do as well in that role as she’s done as a player.” As her final moments as a Cyclone draw near, Ryan reminisced that what has made her years so special at Iowa State is the people. Reflecting how her goal for the 2024-25 season was to play her all, and just enjoy it. This has been illustrated through her smile on the court, and her becoming one of the most impactful guards the Cyclones have ever seen. “It’s hard to believe that it’s already year five,” Ryan said. “Somedays I feel like I have been here forever and the next day I wake up and feel like I am still a freshman. It’s truly been some of the best years of my life, and I wouldn’t trade any of it for anything.”
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COMMANDING THE PAINT ‘The Presidents’ have rejuvenated the Cyclones’ front court Written by Cayden Storm
Joshua Jefferson (2) attempts a free throw during the Iowa State vs. Baylor University basketball game, Jan. 4, 2025. Photo by Josue Aleman
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MES – With a lot of last year’s core back, the Cyclones didn’t need a complete overhaul. They just needed the right pieces to get to the next level. Enter “The Presidents:” junior forward Joshua Jefferson an d se n i o r ce n te r Di s h o n Jackson, who have made an im mediate impact on an already talented squad. The process of bringing Jefferson and Jackson to Ames began before Iowa State’s 202324 season even ended. The Cyclones were in the middle of one of their best seasons in recent memory, finishing 24-7 in the regular season, winning the Big 12 tournament and earning a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament. Their run would eventually end in the Sweet 16 against Illinois, but optimism remained high with much of the team set to return. Iowa State knew its backcourt would remain intact, with guards Tamin Lipsey, Keshon Gilbert and Curtis Jones all returning, along with standout freshman forward Milan Momcilovic. However, the team was about to face key losses in senior big men Tre King, Hason Ward and Robert Jones, creating major gaps in the frontcourt. So, like many teams in collegiate athletics this day in age, Iowa State and head coach T.J. Otzelberger looked to the transfer portal to find the team’s new big men. On Mar. 25, 2024, three days before Iowa State even took the court for the Sweet 16, it filled its first hole, with a 6-foot 11-inch center named Dishon Jackson, a transfer out of Charlotte. Jackson had had an up-and-down career throughout his first four seasons. Before transferring to Charlotte, the Oakland, California, native spent three years at Washington State. He played in 49 games for the Cougars, starting 19 of them. His final season in Pullman was spent as a redshirt due to an injury sustained during the 2021–22 season. However, Jackson had a big 2023–24 season. In his lone season at Charlotte, Jackson played in all 30 games and was third on the team in scoring, averaging 11.4 points per game, as well as second in rebounding, averaging 6.1 rebounds per game. It’s fair to say that Otzelberger held Jackson’s talent and potential in high regard. “[Jackson] possesses tremendous offensive skill, power and versatility,” Otzelberger said. “He’s a mismatched player that can create advantages and facilitate offense. Defensively, he’s an effective rim protector with terrific rebounding instincts. The maturity and leadership that [Jackson] has demonstrated will immediately –mpact our program.” Jackson seemed to be just as excited to work with Otzelberger and the team as they were to work with him. He even watched every one of Iowa State’s remaining games after Charlotte’s season came to an end in preparation for joining the team. “I think they play very hard,” Jackson said. “I think they play together. I think the coach [Otzelberger] has organized a welloiled machine where those guys are just playing for each other.”
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Jackson was now a part of that “well-oiled machine,” but that didn’t mean Otzelberger was done looking for more parts. On Apr. 25, 2024, exactly one month after Jackson committed to play for the Cyclones, they found his future frontcourt running mate; Joshua Jefferson, a 6-foot 8-inch transfer forward from St. Mary’s. The Las Vegas native played the first two seasons of his career with St. Mary’s. He wasn’t much of a factor in his freshman season, playing only 8.8 minutes per game, but his sophomore season was a different story. Jefferson averaged 10.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game while playing 24.9 minutes per game. He started all 26 games before suffering a season-ending injury. Jefferson drew interest from multiple programs, most notably Virginia and TCU, but ultimately decided that his “perfect fit” was in Ames, for a multitude of reasons. “I feel like Iowa State was a perfect fit for me and my play style,” Jefferson said. “I wanted to go somewhere that’s going to have national coverage and be able to play against the best teams in the country. That’s what I’m all about. Just going out there and finding the best competition and proving to everybody how good I am and just having that confidence in myself. That’s what made Iowa State the perfect fit for me.” Otzelberger seemed to agree that Jefferson was a “perfect fit” for his squad, praising his abilities on both ends of the floor.
“We play off each other really good. We have a good relationship off the court so I think it just makes it very smooth when we’re on the floor.” “[Jefferson] is a high IQ basketball player that impacts winning in a variety of ways,” Otzelberger said. “He’s a gifted offensive player that can score at all three levels. He possesses terrific defensive instincts that will help us generate turnovers and end possessions with a rebound.” Jefferson was the final piece of the puzzle in the formation of the 2024-25 team, but questions remained about how Iowa State’s new look front court would hold up against a step up in competition. Flash forward nearly seven months later and it was finally time to see the Cyclones’ new look front court in the season opener against Mississippi Valley State. Jackson and Jefferson found themselves in the starting lineup for their Iowa State debut and made the most of their opportunities. Jefferson scored 10 points and shot 66% from the field, while also recording six rebounds and a team-high four steals, showcasing the defensive instincts Otzelberger had praised him for. Jackson also put together a solid Iowa State debut, recording nine points, six rebounds and a block. While it was just one game against a very outmatched team, it was clear that there was potential for this front-court duo. “I think we mesh really well together,” Jefferson said after the opening game. “We play off each other really good. We have a good relationship off the court so I think it just makes it very smooth when we’re on the floor.” Jefferson was right. The two did, and have continued to mesh very well this season, with each player being a key contributor to the Cyclones’ season. To start, Jefferson has been a standout in all aspects of the game. Jefferson has started and played in all 27 games this season, already appearing in more games than he did in his last season at St. Mary’s. Jefferson is third on the team in scoring at 12.5 points per game, second on the team in assists with three, and first on the team in rebounding with 7.7 and steals with 2.1. Jefferson’s breakout game came against No. 5 Marquette in Hilton Coliseum, where he went 7-of-10 from the field and scored 15 points along with a team-high 12 rebounds in the Cyclones’ 81-70 victory. He would follow that up just eight days later with a 19-point, 10-rebound performance in a come-from-behind victory over instate rival Iowa. These are the performances Cyclones fans have become accustomed to, as Jefferson has become a model of consistency. There have only been five games this season where Jefferson was held under 10 points, three of which came very early in the season.
“He’s really just got the whole package on offense as a big man,” senior guard Curtis Jones said. Jefferson’s best game of the season was Jan. 21 against UCF, where he scored a career-high 30 points while also recording seven rebounds and five assists. Jefferson’s high level of play has earned him five Big 12 Newcomer of the Week awards, more than any other player in the conference. “There’s so many things he’s doing that impacts winning,” Otzelberger said. “When he’s on the court, we’re a better team, and I don’t think there’s any two ways about it.” Jackson has had quite an impact on winning as well. The senior center has started in all but one game this season and has been a commanding presence in the paint. “I think the difference is the bigs,” Jackson said on the transition to the Big 12. “There’s a bunch of seven-footers here, so I think that’s the biggest difference. That’s just me playing against better competition.” Just like his front-court partner, Jackson has transitioned smoothly to life in a new conference. Jackson has averaged 8.8 points per game on 56% shooting from the field, the second-best mark on the team. He also averages five rebounds and a team-high 1.1 blocks per game. Jackson’s season hasn’t come without adversity, though. Prior to the Jan. 15 matchup against then-No. 9 Kansas, Jackson missed a mandatory film session, resulting in him being moved to the bench to start the game for the first and only time all season. “Once he made that choice and that decision, at that point it was out of his hands,” Otzelberger said. “He had to respond in a positive way.” Jackson responded in a very positive way, having maybe his best game of the season. Jackson scored a season-high 17 points in just 20 minutes off the bench and was one of the driving factors in the Cyclones’ dominant victory over the Jayhawks. His teammates noticed and appreciated the effort and energy Jackson brought to the game, despite the mistake he made earlier in the week. “[Jackson] brings tremendous energy, especially with the way he played,” Curtis Jones said. It’s not just the coaches or players who have appreciated the impact Jefferson and Jackson have brought to the team, the fans have as well. It didn’t take long for fans to take a liking to Jefferson and Jackson and it also didn’t take long for people to make the connection that they both share last names with U.S. presidents Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson. From there, a nickname for the Cyclones’ new big men was born: “The Presidents.” This nickname has taken off, with merchandise being made around it and two fans have even taken it upon themselves to dress up in old-timey presidential costumes, something Jackson and Jefferson have taken notice of. “I enjoy it man,” Jackson said. “I think it’s a beautiful thing that the fans come out and support us with all they got every night.” This type of fan response doesn’t just happen because of their last names. If Jackson and Jefferson were playing sub-par, there wouldn’t be this positive attention from fans. It has everything to do with the impact they have made on the court. “The Presidents” have lived up to expectations thus far and the Cyclones will have to continue to rely on them down the stretch. Dishon Jackson (1) prepares to shoot a free throw during the Iowa State vs. Baylor University basketball game, Jan. 4, 2025. Photo by Josue Aleman
Photos by Josue Aleman, August Anderson, Anna Graff, Elizabeth Lane, Jacob Rice, Luis Rodriguez
BI G 12 TOURNAME NT SP E C I AL 2025 | 11
HILTON MAGIC
TOP LEFT: Photo by Colby Schwantes; TOP RIGHT: Photo by Josue Aleman; MIDDLE RIGHT: Photo by Jacob Rice; BOTTOM LEFT: Photo by Elizabeth Lane; BOTTOM RIGHT: Photo by Elizabeth Lane
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TOP LEFT: Photo by August Anderson; TOP RIGHT: Photo by August Anderson; MIDDLE RIGHT: Photo by August Anderson; BOTTOM LEFT: Photo by Luis Rodriguez; BOTTOM RIGHT: Photo by Luis Rodriguez
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Weather Warning to
Basketball Swarming
BILL FENNELLY: 30 SEASONS OF LIVING THE DREAM Under Fennelly, average home game attendance has increased from 733 to 10,007 Written by Ford Griffith
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MES — Bill Fennelly is wrapping up his 30th season as Iowa State’s head coach, and he has cemented himself not only as a Cyclone great but a women’s basketball great as well. Fennelly was born and raised in Davenport, Iowa, but started his coaching career as a student assistant at William Penn. His ultimate goal was always to coach the Cyclones and stay in Ames for the long haul. “For 20 years, I’ve been a women’s basketball coach, and for 20 years, I’ve dreamed of coming to this school to coach, to hopefully finish my career and to build something in this state and for this university,” Fennelly said after being hired in 1995. “It is a dream come true for me and my family.” Now, Fennelly is nearing the end of his 30th season at the helm of the Cyclones’ women’s basketball program. With a lifetime contract secured after the 2006-07 season, Fennelly has said that this is his final stop. “I don’t know how I got so lucky. I mean, I’m living a dream, I really am,” Fennelly said. “I got to do this in my home state. I got to do it in front of my parents and my wife’s parents. My son is on the staff, and my family is involved.”
“The reason we’ve had some level of success is I’ve had really good players and been blessed to have a staff that’s pretty cohesive over the years.” Fennelly’s first head coaching job was at Toledo, where he spent seven years. He also spent time as an assistant coach at William Penn, Fresno State and Notre Dame. With 36 head coaching years under his belt, Fennelly has the third most wins of all active Division I coaches, with 797, with one game left to play in the 2024-25 season. One of the two coaches ahead of him is all-time wins leader and UConn head coach Geno Auriemma, who Fennelly coached against as an assistant when he was at Notre Dame and when Auriemma was an assistant at Virginia. The two have a long history, and Fennelly talked about the support he has from Auriemma.
“Geno [Auriemma] has always been very gracious, very nice to me. Obviously, with his stature, it’s not like we talk daily,” Fennelly said. “He’s always been someone that has been very supportive of what we do, how we do it, you know, we’ve played them a few times in the tournament. He might be the greatest coach of any sport ever.” Gaining that kind of support from one of the best to ever do it is not easy, but it is what Fennelly has done to the culture at Iowa State. In fact, the culture and excitement the Fennelly family has built surrounding Iowa State women’s basketball was one of his first goals. “Our job here is to build a program the university will be proud of, the city and the state,” Fennelly said in 1995. The year before Fennelly was hired, the average attendance at home games was 733 people, but has grown exponentially and has ranked in the top 10 nationally in 24 of his years coaching Iowa State. In the 2023-24 season, Iowa State ranked sixth with an average of 10,007 attendees per game. “I’ve been lucky that I’ve worked at a place that appreciated women’s basketball and appreciated what we’ve tried to do,” Fennelly said. “I know exactly where we belong, we’ve stayed in our own lane and hopefully done that the right way.” The Cyclones are not the only Iowa State program that has found recent success. The football team recently notched its first-ever double-digit win season, and the men’s basketball team has been ranked in the top 10 all season after a trip to the Sweet 16 a season ago. “I’ve never been at Iowa State in a time when it’s better when you look across the board,” Fennelly said. “You know, football, men’s basketball, volleyball, wrestling, it doesn’t matter. I mean, we want to be part of that.” A coach cannot change a program that much alone, though, and Fennelly understands that. He has coached plenty of great players at Iowa State, including 11 All-Americans. That list of players includes all-time scoring leader Ashley Joens, current Minnesota Lynx forward Bridget Carleton and current sophomore center Audi Crooks. “The reason we’ve had some level of success is I’ve had really good players and been blessed to have a staff that’s pretty cohesive over the years,” Fennelly said. “It’s been quite a journey and one that I don’t take for granted ever.” It also means something to the players when someone with Fennelly’s caliber sees something in them, which is something that has become more prominent in the age of the transfer portal. “When I was in the portal and he was recruiting me, he saw a lot of different aspects in me,” junior guard/forward Sydney
Harris said. “Our team already has a lot of stuff, so just whatever coach Fennelly needs me to bring that day.” Another one of the all-time greats and someone Fennelly trusts is current fifth-year senior guard Emily Ryan, the Cyclones all-time leader in assists, who has recently moved to 10th on the NCAA women’s college basketball assists list. Fennelly has trusted Ryan ever since she arrived in Ames, and she has started all but eight games in her career. “It comes from the amount of belief and amount of confidence Coach Fennelly has instilled in me. He trusts me, so that helps other people trust me as well,” Ryan said. “He’s super receptive to the feedback we have. It’s a two-way street; he’s giving us feedback, and we’re giving him feedback. It’s something that’s really empowering and allows us to be successful.” Outside of being a good basketball coach, Fennelly supports his players and staff in any possible way, including defending how good his players are. In the Big 12 preseason awards, Ryan was not listed on any All-Big 12 teams, and Fennelly was not too pleased. “Coach Fennelly is someone I can always count on to have my back in any situation,” Ryan said. “Preseason awards mean pretty much nothing to me, and I think Coach Fennelly also realized that, but he’s gonna stand up for his team regardless.” At 67 years old, there is no say in how much longer Fennelly will coach at Iowa State, but the current sophomore class seems to be keeping him young. “I think it’s probably the closest group I’ve been to in a long time,” Fennelly said. “I think they understood where we were.” Crooks, forward Addy Brown and guards Arianna Jackson and Kelsey Joens put together one of the most impressive freshman performances as a group ever and did not care for a ‘rebuilding year.’ “There’s a number of pieces to it, but three of them are from Iowa, they all committed early, they’ve all been connected early,” Fennelly said. “They understood maybe a little more than most freshmen, the thing that they could do for our program and for me.” Regardless of how long Fennelly coaches at Iowa State, his impact will forever be felt. Fennelly’s son, Billy, is an assistant coach for the Cyclones, and his wife, Deb, is also very involved. The Fennellys will always be Cyclones. “Nothing has kept me here. I’ve been blessed,” Fennelly said.
Head Coach Bill Fennelly and his coaching staff watch the Iowa State women’s basketball team play against Eastern Illinois University, Dec. 15, 2024. Photo by August Anderson
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