Upcoming Event: Women's Basketball versus UW-Oshkosh (Ex.) on October 28, 2025 at 6:30 PM
6:30 PM
Women's Basketball
UW-Oshkosh (Ex.)
Iowa State University Athletics
Sunday, November 27
Portland, Ore.
6:30 PM
Iowa State University
5-1,0-0Big 12
64
vs
73
North Carolina
6-0,0-0ACC
1
2
3
4
F
North Carolina
11
11
23
28
73
Iowa St.
17
18
18
11
64
No. 8 North Carolina Downs No. 5 Iowa State in PKI Championship
11.27.2022 | Women's Basketball
PORTLAND, Oregon – No. 8 North Carolina outscored No. 5 Iowa State 28-11 in the fourth quarter, as the Tar Heels rallied for a 73-64 victory in the championship game of the Phil Knight Invitational at the Moda Center. Iowa State led by as much as 17 in the first half.
Stephanie Soares led the Cyclones with 19 points and 12 rebounds, her third double-double in six games with the Cyclones. Ashley Joens joined her in double figures with 18 points, while grabbing nine rebounds. Emily Ryan finished with a season-high 10 assists.
How It Happened
Both teams struggled to score early, as they combined to shoot 3-of-17 to start the game. The Cyclones shot 50 percent in the opening frame, holding a 17-11 lead after the first quarter. Iowa State scored the first nine points of the second quarter, extending the lead to as much as 17 midway through the quarter. Iowa State led 35-22 at the half, holding North Carolina to just one field goal in the final five minutes of the half.
North Carolina used an 8-0 run late in the third quarter to cut the lead to six, but a 3-pointer by Joens pushed the lead back to nine in the final minute. Iowa State took a 53-45 lead into the final quarter. The Tar Heels scored the first 14 points of the fourth quarter, taking a 59-53 lead with 6:10 to play. A pair of free throws by Soares with 5:04 to play gave the Cyclones their first points of the frame, cutting the lead back to four.
The Tar Heels led by seven with 3:38 to play, but a 3-pointer by Espenmiller-McGraw with 1:40 to play cut the lead to two. Donarski hit two free throws with :56.8 to play, tying the game at 64-64. North Carolina closed the game on a 9-0 run for the 73-64 victory.
Player of the Game
Soares tallied her third double-double in six games with the Cyclones. She finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds.
Up Next
No. 5 Iowa State has a quick turnaround, as the Cyclones host SIUE Tuesday night at Hilton Coliseum. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Big 12 Now on ESPN+. Tickets are available for purchase here.
Team Stats
UNC
IowaSt
FG%
.407
.344
3FG%
.438
.257
FT%
.643
.786
RB
38
46
TO
10
17
STL
10
4
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
19
FGM
7
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Pts
18
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
3
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G/F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballF/C
/ Women's BasketballAudi Crooks 7_15_25 interview
Tuesday, July 15
Bill Fennelly 7_15_25 interview
Tuesday, July 15
Inside Iowa State WBB
Friday, June 06
WBB Post-Game Press Conference vs. Michigan
Friday, March 21
