AMES, Iowa (AP) -- Iowa State found a way to win when it wasn't sharp.

Desiree Francis scored 20 points and No. 6 Iowa State survived its worst shooting of the season and a flurry of Kansas State misses at the end to escape with a 64-61 victory Tuesday night.

Iowa State (15-2, 6-0 Big 12) was not assured of its 11th straight victory, one short of the school record, until a 3-point shot by Kansas State's Angie Finkes from the right corner bounced off the rim at the buzzer.

It was the last of five misses by the Wildcats (9-11, 2-5) in the final minute.

"I told our players if the game would be in the 60s, we'd be in trouble and we were in trouble," said Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly, whose team trailed by seven with less than eight minutes left.

"But I told our kids afterwards that only championship teams win games like this and we did."

Iowa State survived because of Francis' strong play -- she also grabbed 10 rebounds -- and a cool, gutsy performance by freshman Lindsey Wilson, who drove fearlessly into the heart of Kansas State's zone defense for baskets or to set up her teammates.

Wilson scored 12 points, including two free throws with 45.5 seconds left to make it 64-61.

"A lot of times when the zone switches over, it's easy to drive and kick it back out," Wilson said. "I was just trying to bring something a little different."

After Wilson's free throws, Kansas State had all the chances it could ask to cut into the lead or tie.

April Sailors missed a 3-point shot and Finkes and Kim Woodlee misfired inside. After being awarded possession on a jump ball, Kansas State surprised the Cyclones by having 6-foot-6 Olga Firsova try a 3 from the right wing and she also missed. The ball went out of bounds with 0.6 seconds remaining, enough time for Finkes to try her final shot.

"They were good shots that didn't fall," said Kansas State's Nicky Ramage, her eyes still red from crying. "That happens. You can't do anything about it. You just have to get over it and move on."

Kansas State coach Deb Patterson said she did not mind seeing Firsova take a 3. The big center had made five of eight shots from behind the arc coming in.

"I thought she had a good look. I really thought that shot would go in," Patterson said. "Most people would not expect her to shoot it."

The scoring by Francis and Wilson offset subpar games by Iowa State's two veterans, Stacy Frese and Megan Taylor. Frese made only four of 12 shots in scoring 10 points. Taylor had five on 2-for-13 shooting.

Frese said Wilson provided some much-needed energy.

"She obviously was ready to play and a lot of us weren't," Frese said. "She and Des pulled us through. That's why it's a team sport."

Angie Welle scored 12 points for Iowa State, which shot just 33 percent (22-for-66). Finkes led Kansas State with 16 points, Kristin Rethman scored 13 and April Sailors 12.

Sailors, a 27.7 percent shooter from 3-point range, scored all of her points on 4-for-8 3-point shooting, including one she banked in from the top of the key as the shot clock buzzer sounded to give the Wildcats a 52-45 lead with 8:30 left.

Iowa State responded with eight straight points to take a 53-52 lead, Francis capping the run with a three-point play. Kansas State led twice after that before Wilson scored on a drive to tie it at 57 with 3:32 remaining.

A minute later, Wilson fed Welle streaking down the court for a layup. Welle was fouled on the shot and made the free throw to put the Cyclones ahead to stay at 60-57 with 2:23 left.

"When you're a little kid, this is kind of what you dream about, coming through in the clutch," Wilson said. "It was definitely a thrill."