Iowa State Alumni in the WNBA | Week of Sept. 20–26
Bridget Carleton gave Cyclone fans plenty to cheer about Wednesday night, erupting for a season-best 26 points to fuel the Portland Fire's 90–82 victory over Golden State.
The forward's performance wasn't just a scoring spike — it was a statement. Carleton posted a +20 plus-minus in the win, meaning Portland outscored Golden State by 20 points with her on the floor. That kind of two-way impact goes well beyond a hot shooting night. She added 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and an assist to round out a box score that will be hard to top as the WNBA regular season winds down.
Portland's margin of victory — eight points in a game that felt more decisive than the final score — was built in no small part on Carleton's shoulders. For an Iowa State alum who has steadily carved out a professional career after a decorated Cyclones tenure in Ames, this was the kind of performance that cements a legacy in a franchise's stretch run.
Elsewhere for Iowa State alumni, the week was quieter. Ashley Joens (Atlanta Dream), Stephanie Soares (Dallas Wings), and Julie Vanloo (New York Liberty) did not have notable statistical entries in the research window, leaving Carleton as the unambiguous headliner for the Cyclone contingent across the league this week.
The timing matters. Late September in the WNBA means playoff positioning and individual legacies are both on the line simultaneously. Carleton's 26-point, +20 outing lands at exactly the right moment — the kind of game coaches remember when deciding who gets big minutes in the postseason and the kind scouts file away when evaluating contract value heading into the offseason.
For Iowa State faithful, Carleton has long represented the program's ability to develop pro-caliber wings. Wednesday was a vivid reminder of that pipeline's output.
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