The annual women’s basketball rivalry clash between Iowa State and Iowa delivered an intense, top-25 showdown. The undefeated No. 10 Cyclones ultimately secured a hard-fought 74-69 victory over the previously unbeaten No. 11 Hawkeyes. This highly anticipated match up, the highest-ranked in the series history, saw Iowa State’s star center, Audi Crooks, dominate the paint and deliver a game-changing performance.
Crooks proved nearly unstoppable in the post, finishing the night with a massive double-double of 30 points and 10 rebounds. This outing marked her third consecutive game scoring 30 or more points. Her consistent dominance down low became the critical difference maker. Iowa State controlled the interior scoring, netting a blistering 42 points in the paint compared to Iowa’s 28. Crooks received excellent support from her teammates, as the Cyclones had three players record double-doubles. Addy Brown contributed 20 points and 12 rebounds. Point guard Jada Williams excelled as a facilitator, tallying 11 points and a career-high 12 assists.
The contest was tight through the first half, ending in a 35-35 deadlock. The game broke open immediately after the break. Iowa State delivered a decisive third quarter, outscoring the Hawkeyes 26-13. This strong push gave the Cyclones a 13-point lead heading into the final period. The Hawkeyes struggled immensely to contain Crooks inside, an issue exacerbated by early foul trouble for their defensive anchor, Ava Heiden, who was limited to just 16 minutes before fouling out.
Despite the setback, the Hawkeyes fought valiantly in the fourth quarter. They mounted a furious comeback attempt, shrinking the large deficit to just three points multiple times in the closing minutes. The charge was led by Chazadi “Chit-Chat” Wright, who finished with 21 points, including four successful three-pointers. Hannah Stuelke also added 10 points and a game-high 15 rebounds.
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The Cyclones ultimately secured the win with crucial defensive plays. With just sixteen seconds remaining and the score at a three-point margin, Iowa State’s Mackenzie Hare delivered a timely block on a potential game-tying three-point attempt. Crooks then sealed the victory at the free-throw line.
This win extends Iowa State’s perfect season record to 11-0 and ensures they take the overall Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series trophy for the year. For the Hawkeyes, the loss ends their nine-game winning streak but showcases their resilience in the face of a dominant individual performance. The game strongly emphasized the need for teams to develop an answer for the scoring prowess of Crooks as she continues her unprecedented pace this season.
