Iowa State edged Green Bay in Ames, though the Cyclones trailed early: the longer, stronger team won out in the end.

Among UWGB's major threats, Testschlag had a terrific game, though Hoewisch had a poor one. "I've never been more proud of a group," coach Bollant said.

ISU and UWGB have historically played similar styles on offense, with half-court sets and long-range shots: this year's Phoenix looked more interested in driving to the hoop, less excited about three-point shots, than the inspiring UWGB teams of years past.

But they were just as inspiring, for a while: the Phoenix players looked faster, and connected with one another much more efficiently, than their rivals, and UWGB seemed unfazed by the loud home crowd.

But ISU has lost only once at home this year: sooner or later, it seems, the fans get their team going, and Kelsey Bolte got hot at the end: her late field goal, on a bad night for star Alison Lacey, let Iowa State escape the upset this time.

"That was one of the best teams we've ever faced in this building," said coach Fennelly of his Wisconsinite opponents. ISU will meet UConn in Dayton next: the crowd there will have fewer Cyclones, and more Huskies fans.