While taking a 3-point shot she yelled, "It’s off," only to see it hit nothing but net.

One look and you could tell that things are going better for her and the rest of the Missouri women’s basketball team.

Missouri senior standout Amanda Lassiter, who has matched up favorable against some of the top players in the Big 12 such as Jo Ruth Woods of Texas, above, will have the chance to lead her team to its biggest win of the season when league leader Iowa State, ranked No. 8 in the country, comes to town tonight. The Tigers gained much confidence in a one-point loss at Iowa State two weeks ago. Mark Schiefelbein photo

MU (13-5, 4-3 Big 12) is coming off its first conference road win of the season, a 65-58 decision at Nebraska on Saturday. Tonight, the Tigers will be facing a nationally-ranked Iowa State team they came within a bucket of upsetting two weeks ago. Since then, the Tigers have shown signs of improvement, winning two straight conference games. They are eagerly awaiting the rematch at home, where they are a perfect 7-0 this year.

"I’m so pleased with our team," said Lassiter, who’s fourth in the Big 12 in scoring (20.5 points per game). "I kept saying that once we got that first road victory we’re going to be all right. The chemistry was going to be better and everybody’s confidence was going to be boosted up. I’m so happy for my teammates and I think we’re on the right road to success."

The Cyclones (16-2, 6-1) are coming off impressive wins against ranked opponents - a 34-point blowout of No. 25 Colorado and a 71-64 win over No. 22 N.C. State - but have also lost their first conference game against Baylor. Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly says Missouri is a dangerous team, especially at home.

"Missouri is playing extremely well at this point in the season," he said. "Coach Cindy Stein has them playing the way she wants them to play. They have all-conference-type players in Amanda Lassiter and Pep Williams and the second time around will be a much tougher match for us."

Last time the two met, the Tigers had chances to take the lead in the last 40 seconds. But a turnover by forward Evan Unrau, two missed 3-pointers by Lassiter and clutch shooting by Cyclone guards Tracy Gahan and Megan Taylor proved to be the difference.

"We had some defensive breakdowns the last game," Stein said. "We knew we couldn’t leave their shooters open, and we did. The key is we have to be on them by the time they catch the ball. We have to contain and we’re much better at that this time."

The Cyclones feature one of the conference’s premier post players in 6-foot-4 center Angie Welle. The preseason conference player of the year is averaging a double-double (18.1 points, 10.4 rebounds per game). She scored 18 points and had a career-high 20 rebounds against the Tigers at Ames.

The Nebraska game was a must-win situation for Missouri, with back-to-back games versus ranked opponents, including a match up at No. 10 Oklahoma Saturday.

"At the beginning of the season everybody is trying to find their place in the program," Lassiter said. "Now it’s midseason and freshmen aren’t freshmen any more.

"Everybody’s more at ease," she continued. "I think we can keep the focus everyday in practice. Take each game at a time and not look ahead. Take each opponent seriously."