No. 24 Texas 59, Iowa St. 56

1/16/2008 10:08 PM

By JIM VERTUNO
AP Sports Writer

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -Texas coach Gail Goestenkors can finally breathe a sigh of relief after earning her first Big 12 win.

Carla Cortijo's big shots in the closing two minutes and Brittainey Raven's big block in the final seconds lifted No. 24 Texas to a 59-56 win over Iowa State on Wednesday night.

The win snapped a two-game losing streak and kept Texas (13-4, 1-2) from its first-ever 0-3 start in league play.

``I'm really glad to come away with a win,'' Goestenkors said with a smile. ``I think most games in the Big 12 can be like this, they can go either way.''

Texas had a 10-game winning streak before league play but the first two Big 12 games were a disorganized, messy defeat at Nebraska and a heartbreaking overtime home loss to Kansas State. This time, Texas put together just the right mix of defense and timely shooting to get the win.

Texas shot just 33 percent but having Cortijo on the court was a big boost. She suffered a left shoulder injury right before the start of Big 12 play and was on the court for only 26 minutes in the first two league games.

She played 35 minutes against Iowa State, hitting Texas' final two baskets, a 3-pointer and a long jumper that put the Longhorns up 57-56.

``I felt 100 percent. No pain, no gain,'' Cortijo said after the game, sporting an ice-pack on her shoulder. She finished with 13 points and four assists.

``We're an entirely different team when Carla's on the floor. She makes really good decisions with the basketball,'' Goestenkors said.

Kathleen Nash had 12 points and 10 rebounds for Texas. She also hit a crucial free throw that gave Texas a 3-point lead with 19 seconds left to play.

Iowa State had a last attempt to tie but it never got close when Raven swatted Denae Stuckey's shot with 3 seconds left.

Kelsey Bolte scored 20 to lead Iowa State (12-4, 1-2). One of the top 3-point shooting teams in the country, the Cyclones were just 5 of 22 from long range against a Texas defense that pushed out to challenge each shot.

``They were a lot tougher than us and the tougher team deserves to win,'' Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly said. ``They ran their press to perfection.''

Goestenkors got her first Big 12 win but insists she wasn't worried about the first two losses. Texas was 6-10 in Big 12 play last season and she knew her first year would be a rebuilding project.

``It's never about wins and losses,'' she said, insisting she didn't know Texas had never started 0-3 in league play.

Goestenkors spent 15 seasons building a powerhouse at Duke and hasn't lost three straight games since the 1996-97 season. One of her major goals this season is adjusting to the players and coaches in the Big 12.

``I'm learning,'' Goestenkors said. ``Give me one round and I'm going to know what coaches want to do, when they want to do it, what their tendencies are. I'm going through some growing pains just like my players are.''

Next up is a big rival: a road game Sunday at Texas Tech.

``I've never played a game there,'' Goestenkors said. ``I've heard it's quite an experience.''