Big 12 basketball

(Kansas City, Missouri-AP) -- The Big 12's ranked teams might catch up to Iowa State once the conference season hits its stride. <br><br>But for now, the Cyclones are all alone at the top of the standings

Monday, January 12th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Kansas City, Missouri-AP) -- The Big 12's ranked teams might catch up to Iowa State once the conference season hits its stride.

But for now, the Cyclones are all alone at the top of the standings after a slow opening week in which two teams didn't even play a conference game.

Iowa State improved to 2-and-0 in Big 12 play and 9-and-2 overall with an 89-to-74 win over Nebraska on Saturday.

Texas Tech and Number 18 Texas won their conference openers Saturday. The Red Raiders beat Oklahoma State 83-to-62, and the Longhorns routed depleted Baylor 79-to-57.

Missouri evened its Big 12 record at 1-and-1 with an 82-to-77 win over Texas A&M.

Number 6 Oklahoma lost to Number 1 Connecticut -- 86-to-59 -- Sunday.

Number 13 Kansas was idle.