WBB | Big 12 Tourney preview: Iowa State Cyclones

Who: Oklahoma St. Cowgirls (22-7, 11-7) vs. Iowa St. Cyclones (20-9, 9-9)
When: 11 a.m.
Where: Oklahoma City, Okla. - Chesapeake Energy Arena
TV: Fox Sports 1 - 93.7 FM/96.1 FM

In the first game of day 2 of the Big 12 Tournament, the Oklahoma State Cowgirls look to finally get a leg up on the Cyclones of Iowa State. The 4th seed, Cowgirls are coming into this game struggling. Oklahoma State is just 6-6 in their last 12 games. Which is a bit disappointing after starting the season off 14-0.

Previously, the Cyclones stole the game in Stillwater, 86-69 on February 26th. Oklahoma State was able to be the first team to hand Iowa State their first loss of the season, a 69-62 victory on January 11th. So, these two teams have a lot of high quality basketball played against one another.

Hallie Christofferson is the All-Big 12 player for the Cyclones. She's a monster downlow. She can then step out and hit the three-pointer on you, opening up your lane. She's averaging 17.5 points per game and 7.0 rebounds per game.

After you deal with Christofferson, you have to watch out for freshman sharp shooter, Jadda Buckley. She can hit the three-pointer with the best of them. Buckley dropped 29 points in a win over the Oklahoma earlier this season. She had 26 points on 7-of-12 shooting in the one win against Oklahoma State.

Currently, Oklahoma State is a sixth seed in the ESPN Bracketology and the Cyclones are an 8th seed. The right combination of wins during this Big 12 Championships could lead the Cowgirls into a top-4 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Iowa State and Oklahoma State have met 54 times over their school's histories. Oklahoma State owns the slim 29-25 lead over the Cyclones. The two teams have met twice at the Big 12 Championships, with both teams earning a win. Oklahoma State won the latest meeting at the Big 12 Championships in 2010, a 62-59 win. Iowa State won the latest meeting this season.

Check out Wide Right & Natty Lite for the Cyclones version of the game.

The Cowgirls need to play some defense if they're going to win this game. I know that sounds so simple, but against Iowa State, it could be tough. The Cyclones shot 69 percent in the second half, to pull away from the Cowgirls in their previous meeting. Must find a way to force Iowa State off the perimeter, and take those contested mid-range jumpers.

If Tiffany Bias and Brittney Martin are unable to corral the Iowa State guards, it could be a long afternoon for the Cowgirls. However, if Bias is able to limit Buckley and Nikki Moody, could smell like a recipe for the Cowgirls.

You can follow @OKCChuck on Twitter for all your coverage of the Women's Big 12 Championships.