As the Cyclones welcomed the Jaguars for their seventh meeting, high energy for both teams fueled Hilton. With an 85-58 Iowa State victory, the team remains undefeated against Southern University. The Cyclones’ leading player was junior center Audi Crooks, who landed a double-double with 29 points, 14 rebounds and three assists.
Iowa State’s second-quarter offensive standout
Headed into the second quarter, both the Cyclones and the Jaguars had the drive to push for a standout lead. A 3-point spree allowed Iowa State to take off from its 16-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.
With foul trouble for the Cyclones in the first quarter, the Jaguars scored six of their 14 points on free throws. Along with seven turnovers for both teams, the push for a lead began to disappear.
The leading scorer in the first half was Crooks, who scored 16 points, along with leading in rebounds with eight.
With a three from senior forward Sydney Harris, the breakthrough for Iowa State began. Prior to Harris’ 3-pointer, the Cyclones went 0-for-3 on their attempts.
As Harris sank two threes and junior guard Arianna Jackson drilled one, the offense of Iowa State began its push to leave Southern University in the rearview.
“We hit a couple of threes and that’s kind of got some confidence,” junior guard Jada Williams said. “That’s a big thing for us. We got to know how to come out strong.”
In the final seven minutes of the half, the Cyclones humbled the Jaguars as they led the scoring on a 21-4 run. A part of that run, Iowa State silenced Southern University in the final three minutes of the second quarter.
Despite having the lead for nearly the entire first half, the Cyclones’ 3-point surge earned the team a comfortable lead.
Pressing defense
As Iowa State claimed a second-quarter lead, its pesky defense secured the victory. The Cyclones cruised past the Jaguars with a 44-27 rebound advantage.
Leading Iowa State in rebounds was Crooks with 14 and close behind was junior forward Addy Brown, who had 13. Compared to Southern University, whose two rebounding leaders had six each.
Both the Cyclones and the Jaguars closed out with one block each. Crooks’ solo block stood out as the crowd erupted into chaos.
A similar comparison came on turnovers, as Iowa State had 16 compared to Southern University’s 15. The Cyclones scored 21 points on turnovers while the Jaguars secured 13.
Southern University’s ability to press the offense of Iowa State on both ends of the court paid off with steals.
“I think the slow start also has to do with Southern,” Crooks said. “Their full-court pressure, they’re picking up, their goal is to speed up your game and they did that successfully.”
The Jaguars led with 10 compared to the Cyclones’ five. Two of Southern University’s players closed out with two steals each.
Sparks fly in foul frenzy
Foul trouble quickly became an issue, with 42 fouls across both teams. Southern University profited on free-throw opportunities as the team went 17-25 for 29% of its points in the game.
Iowa State’s penalty trouble landed freshman guard Reese Beaty four fouls, along with Williams and junior guard Evangelia Paulk, who both took three each, while three of Southern University’s players each took four.
The Cyclones earned 19 free-throw attempts, and nailed 14. Leading Iowa State was Crooks, who went 5-for-8 on free-throw opportunities.
“Better free throws, I’m a little disappointed in that,” Crooks said. “I can’t really complain on a night like tonight, efficiency could have been better, I’m my own worst critic, but overall I think this was one of my best games from a holistic perspective.”
As Crooks focuses on being a consistent low-post presence and has confidence in her team, the future looks bright.
“But when that double team comes, I trust fully in the other four girls on the floor,” Crooks said.
“Audi [Crooks] can shoot too. I know you saw that pull-up that little middy,” Williams said.
With foul trouble taunting the end of an Iowa State player’s nights, taking accountability and moving forward looks to keep the team out of trouble.
“Yeah, I think there’s a fine line between being aggressive and overzealous,” Iowa State head coach Bill Fennelly said. “Everyone talks about discipline on offense. I think our team needs to be more disciplined on defense.”
