Iowa State women's basketball's Arianna Jackson had family there for her best game yet

AMES – Shortly before departing for the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee, last week, Arianna Jackson’s family made a quick decision.

The family of diehard fans decided to make a quick stop in their trip back following the game, swinging through Stillwater, Oklahoma, to watch Jackson and the Iowa State women’s basketball team take on Oklahoma State.

“They try to make it to as many games as possible,” Jackson said.

The decision paid off. Jackson put on a show for them. The freshman tallied the best game of her young college career, scoring 14 points and grabbing eight rebounds as Iowa State opened Big 12 Conference play with an important road win.

“It just made me proud that I could show them and show our fans what we can do on the road,” Jackson said.

More: Iowa State women's basketball team opens Big 12 play with road win over Oklahoma State

Jackson will try to follow up that breakout performance when Iowa State hosts Kansas on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., at Hilton Coliseum. Like the game against Oklahoma State, she could be a difference-maker again.

“It just builds my confidence knowing that I had a good shooting game,” Jackson said.

Jackson has always been a strong shooter, especially during her high school days at Des Moines Roosevelt. As a senior, Jackson averaged 19.9 points per game while shooting 45.5% from the field, including 42.6% from 3-point range. She was the star of her high school team.

When Jackson got to Iowa State, she was surrounded by talent, including one of the program’s most decorated recruiting classes. With point guard Emily Ryan missing the start of the season, the Cyclones didn’t need Jackson to score. The focus was on defense, finding open teammates and doing a lot of the little things, stuff that Jackson enjoyed.

“That’s what I take a lot of pride in,” Jackson said.

Being able to do all those little things helped monumentally early on, especially as Jackson struggled to shoot it early in the season. She did show some flashes of her potential, like racking up seven points in a road win at St. Thomas. But Jackson, who also knocked down some 3-pointers in other Iowa State games, had yet to fully hit her stride.

That changed Saturday with her performance that saw her shoot 5-of-7 from the field, including 4-of-5 from 3-point range. Three of those 3’s came in important moments in the second half as Oklahoma State rallied and got within striking distance of the Cyclones. But Jackson's second-half shooting helped Iowa State put the game away.

“She was big-time, especially down the stretch when we needed her most,” said Iowa State freshman Addy Brown.

Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly, who has raved about Jackson’s work ethic and relentless defense, was happy to see the young Cyclones star contribute in another way. He anticipated it coming sometime this season.

“I’m not surprised,” Fennelly said with a smile.

Neither was her family. That's why they made the long trek after Iowa State's bowl game to cheer her on. Her mom, dad, two brothers and one of their girlfriends all made the nearly seven-hour drive to Stillwater. They were rewarded with a game full of monumental moments for Jackson.

Having her family there made the day that much more special.

“Just knowing that having them support me and all the work that they put in, just to have me get to the point where I am today really means a lot and being able to show it on the court is always a great opportunity,” Jackson said.

The success could have giant implications for Iowa State. The Cyclones have relied heavily on other freshmen, including Brown, Audi Crooks and Kelsey Joens, to handle the bulk of their scoring this season.

If Jackson continues her hot shooting, it’ll make the Cyclones even more difficult to defend. Even if Jackson isn't the primary scoring option for the Cyclones moving forward, she's fine with that.

“I like to think of our team as a big puzzle,” Jackson said. “Each of us kind of has our own part and we do things. And as more games come along, we’ve really meshed well together.”

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Arianna Jackson impresses family in Iowa State women's basketball win