Iowa State guard Alexa Middleton (33) shoots as Texas guard Danni Williams (3) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Big 12 women's conference tournament in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
The Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Alexa Middleton scored 24 points, Bridget Carleton and Ashley Joens had double-doubles and No. 19 Iowa State took control down the stretch on Sunday to beat No. 21 Texas 75-69 in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals.
The second-seeded Cyclones (25-7), winners of five straight, face No. 1 Baylor on Monday night in their first championship game appearance since 2013.
Carleton, the Big 12 Player of the Year, had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Joens added 13 and 12.
Joyner Holmes led third-seeded Texas (23-9) with 19 points and Jatarie White added 10. Sug Sutton had 12 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Danni Williams also had 12 points.
The Longhorns, who never led and trailed by as many as 16 in the second quarter, overcame a four-point possession by Iowa State midway through the fourth quarter to tie the game at 64-all on a 3-pointer from the left corner by Destiny Littleton with 3:22 to play.
Joens answered with a layup, Carleton followed with a three-point play and Middleton hit a jumper to give the Cyclones a 71-64 lead with a minute left. Holmes ended the 0-for-4 drought with a basket with 59 seconds to go, but Iowa State made four straight free throws. Williams converted a three-point play with one second left.
Williams had pulled Texas within one with 5ˆ½ minutes to go before Olamide Aborowa blocked a shot by Carleton. With Carleton on the floor, Aborowa apparently said something and the official beside her called a technical. Carleton made two free throws and made a layup on the inbound pass.
Iowa State raced to a 24-13 lead after one quarter by making 6 of 9 3-pointers, led by Middleton's 3 of 3.
The lead was also 11 at the half, 43-32. Iowa State made three more 3-pointers with Middleton up to 4 of 5 and 16 points. After a 6-of-18 first quarter, the Longhorns were 9 of 14 in the second with a 10-0 run keeping them in the game. Williams and Sutton combined for UT's last 14 points.
Texas cut the gap to five entering the fourth quarter by making 8 of 12 shots from the field while Iowa State went 2 of 12 from 3-point range.
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Iowa State waves to fans after defeating Texas in an NCAA college basketball game in the Big 12 women's conference tournament in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 10, 2019. Iowa State won 75-69. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
The Associated Press
Iowa State guard Bridget Carleton (21) drives to the basket around Texas guard Danni Williams (3) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Big 12 women's conference tournament in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
The Associated Press
Iowa State center Kristin Scott (25) shoots as Texas forward Jatarie White (40) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Big 12 women's conference tournament in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
The Associated Press
Iowa State guard Alexa Middleton (33) goes to the basket in front of Texas guard Joyner Holmes (24) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Big 12 women's conference tournament in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 10, 2019. Iowa State won 75-69. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
The Associated Press
Texas guard Audrey Warren (31) defends as Iowa State guard Bridget Carleton, front left, goes to the basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Big 12 women's conference tournament in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
The Associated Press
Iowa State guard Alexa Middleton (33) smiles after scoring against Texas during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Big 12 women's conference tournament in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
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Texas head coach Karen Aston coaches her team against Iowa State during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Big 12 women's conference tournament in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
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Texas guard Sug Sutton (1) drives to the basket around Iowa State guard Ashley Joens (24) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Big 12 women's conference tournament in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
The Associated Press
Texas guard Sug Sutton (1) drives to the basket around Iowa State guard Bridget Carleton, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Big 12 women's conference tournament in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
The Associated Press
Texas guard Joyner Holmes (24) goes to the basket over Iowa State defenders during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Big 12 women's conference tournament in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
The Associated Press
Texas guard Danni Williams (3) drives to the basket as Iowa State forward Madison Wise (1) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Big 12 women's conference tournament in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
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Texas forward Jatarie White (40) shoots as Iowa State center Kristin Scott (25) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Big 12 women's conference tournament in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
The Associated Press
Texas forward Jatarie White (40) looks to pass the ball around Iowa State center Kristin Scott (25) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Big 12 women's conference tournament in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
The Associated Press
Texas forward Jatarie White (40) drives to the basket as Iowa State center Kristin Scott (25) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Big 12 women's conference tournament in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
The Associated Press
Texas forward Charli Collier (35) shoots as Iowa State guard Bridget Carleton (21) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Big 12 women's conference tournament in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
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