Hailey
The Iowa State women’s basketball team delivered an exciting performance on Sunday afternoon, defeating Kansas State 76-72 in a close Big 12 battle.
The game, played at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final seconds. Strong free-throw shooting and standout performances from key players helped the Cyclones secure an important conference win.
With this victory, Iowa State improved to 20-6 overall and 8-6 in Big 12 play. It also marked the program’s 19th 20-win season under head coach Bill Fennelly, showing the consistency and strength of the team over the years.
On the other side, Kansas State dropped to 14-13 overall and 7-7 in conference action.
How The Game Unfolded
Iowa State led for more than 32 minutes during the game, but Kansas State refused to give up and made a strong push late in the fourth quarter.
First Quarter
The game started with both teams struggling to find rhythm. Kansas State held a narrow 20-19 lead at the end of the first quarter despite shooting only 27 percent from the field.
- Audi Crooks scored 8 points in the opening quarter for Iowa State.
- Aniya’ Foy led Kansas State early with 7 points.
Second Quarter
Kansas State briefly took a 26-24 lead, but Iowa State responded with a powerful 9-0 run to jump ahead 33-26. The Cyclones went into halftime with a 37-30 advantage.
Defense was the big story in the first half. Iowa State held Kansas State to just 8-of-30 shooting, which was the Wildcats’ worst first-half shooting performance of the season.
Second Half Comeback Attempt
Iowa State continued to stay ahead and led 56-49 at the end of the third quarter. Early in the fourth, the Cyclones stretched the lead to 62-49, giving them a comfortable margin.
But Kansas State fought back.
Behind a huge second-half performance from Taryn Sides, who scored 20 of her 23 points after halftime, the Wildcats cut the lead to just 67-64 late in the game.
With Iowa State ahead 69-65, the pressure was intense. That’s when big plays made the difference:
- Kenzie Hare hit an important three-pointer.
- Iowa State finished 25-of-28 from the free-throw line.
- Jada Williams was perfect at the line, going 12-for-12.
Those clutch free throws sealed the 76-72 win for the Cyclones.
Top Performers
Here is a clear look at the top players from the game:
| Player | Team | Points | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jada Williams | Iowa State | 22 | 9 assists, 5 rebounds, 12-12 FT |
| Audi Crooks | Iowa State | 20 | 9 rebounds, 8-10 FT |
| Ariana Jackson | Iowa State | 11 | 3 three-pointers |
| Taryn Sides | Kansas State | 23 | 20 in second half |
Important Milestones
This game was special for several individual achievements:
- Audi Crooks extended her double-figure scoring streak to 92 straight games, the longest active streak in NCAA women’s basketball.
- Crooks recorded her 18th 20-point game this season and the 59th of her career.
- She also reached 400 career free throws made, ranking sixth all-time for Iowa State.
- Ariana Jackson scored her 500th career point.
- Reese Beaty scored her 100th point as a Cyclone.
- Jada Williams reached 194 assists this season, placing her in Iowa State’s Top 10 for single-season assists.
Team Records And Attendance
- Attendance: 10,746 fans
- Iowa State all-time record: 891-684 (.566)
- Conference record: 353-364 (.492)
- Bill Fennelly career record: 820-384 (.681)
- Fennelly at Iowa State: 654-331 (.664)
These numbers show the long-term success and consistency of the Iowa State women’s basketball program.
What’s Next For Iowa State?
The Cyclones will remain at home for their next matchup against Arizona State. The game is scheduled for Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and will be available on ESPN+.
After this strong performance, Iowa State will look to continue building momentum as the Big 12 season moves forward.
The 76-72 victory over Kansas State was a strong example of Iowa State’s determination and skill. Even though Kansas State made a serious comeback attempt in the fourth quarter, the Cyclones stayed calm and relied on strong defense and excellent free-throw shooting.
With players like Jada Williams and Audi Crooks leading the way, Iowa State continues to show why it is one of the top teams in the Big 12.
Reaching 20 wins again under Coach Bill Fennelly highlights the program’s steady success. If the team continues to perform with confidence and discipline, it could achieve even bigger goals as the season continues.