Oklahoma women's basketball: OU hopes to halt Hilton Coliseum skid

“Without a doubt,” Coale responded when asked if Iowa State holds one of the Big 12's better home court advantages.

“Their fans are just passionate, they're loud. Their kids have a great comfort level there. There's a lot of tradition there, I think is what makes it so tough.”

The 16th-ranked Sooners (14-2 overall, 4-0 Big 12) meet No. 24 Iowa State (12-2, 3-1) Tuesday in Ames, Iowa, where coach Sherri Coale's team hasn't won since Jan. 2008, when Courtney and Ashley Paris were juniors.

Last season at home, OU beat the Cyclones 80-51; weeks later, though, the Sooners lost 77-71 in Ames.

“They get a pretty tough crowd out, like we do down here,” said junior guard Aaryn Ellenberg. “And they're really good at home most of the time. Once they get the momentum going, it's tough to beat them there.”

The strong home court advantage, though, isn't all the Sooners have to be worried about; Iowa State has made six straight trips to the NCAA Tournament, and Coale said the Cyclones' post game — led by senior forward Chelsea Poppens, who is averaging 13 points and nearly 10 rebounds per game — is as good as its been in a long time.