February 23, 1999

AMES, Iowa (AP) - Stacy Frese scored 24 points as No. 20 Iowa State defeated Missouri 84-58 Tuesday night.

The Cyclones (20-5, 12-3 Big 12 Conference) remained in the hunt for a share of the league title. Iowa State is a half-game behind Texas Tech in the league standings. The Lady Red Raiders play at Colorado on Wednesday.

Iowa State clinched at least the second seed for next week's conference tournament in Kansas City, Mo. It was the Cyclones' 32nd consecutive regular-season home victory, a streak that dates back to Jan. 30, 1997.

Frese scored 17 points in the first half, including five 3-pointers. She was 7-of-9 from 3-point range for the game.

Desiree Francis scored 14 points while Angie Welle had 13 and Megan Taylor 11 for the Cyclones. Tracy Gahan had a career-high 10 assists.

Julie Helm paced Missouri (11-14, 4-11) with 20 points. Kesha Bonds had 13 points and Tracy Franklin 10.

The Tigers stayed close to Iowa State for much of the first half, but the Cyclones took control by outscoring Missouri 12-2 in the final 4 1/2 minutes of play.

Frese hit a 3-pointer to put Iowa State ahead for good at 24-21. Two more 3-pointers by Frese and three free throws by Welle gave the Cyclones a 33-23 halftime lead.

The Cyclones put the game away in the second half by scoring on 11 consecutive possessions, which helped them open a 76-44 lead with 5:35 remaining. Francis had 12 points in that run.