AMES – No. 8 Iowa State (2-0, 0-0 Big 12) topped Indiana State (0-2, 0-0 Big 12) Thursday night by a score of 64-42 inside Hilton Coliseum.
After a tie at 26s with just over two minutes remaining in the first half, the Cyclones went on their way to build a lead Indiana State could not overcome. Iowa State had 10-plus steals for the second consecutive game with 10, while also totaling double figure blocks (10). It is the first 10-plus block game since Nov. 25, 2020 against Omaha.
Addy Brown reached double figure points in the first half, going on to total 12 points and 10 rebounds for the double-double. Audi Crooks led the game with 16 points, her 34th straight game in double digits. Sydney Harris made her first four shots as the first-year Cyclone brought in 11 to total three Cyclones with 10 or more points.
Freshman Aili Tanke tallied the Cyclones’ first points with a shot from deep, while the contest followed to be a back-and-forth affair. Brown brought ISU back in front after another 3-pointer four minutes into the contest while five lead changes followed as one minute remained. Brown sent in a second chance basket to take back the lead, but the Sycamores took it back as the buzzer sounded to lead 16-14 after one.
ISU found a four-point lead (22-18) after four straight free throws by Brown and Harris, but Indiana State came back with the narrow 23-22 advantage as the second frame neared the midway point. With the game knotted 26-26 at 2:37, Kenzie Hare delivered a 3 and Arianna Jackson followed with another to force a timeout by the visitors. It continued to rain 3-pointers as Brown sent in the third straight, making it 35-26 with 49 seconds left. The Sycamores would make a layup at the buzzer as the scoreboard read 35-28 at halftime.
Iowa State went out to a double-digit lead at 39-28 as Crooks put in the layup two minutes into the half. Harris and Kelsey Joens would total six Cyclones to sink a triple as Iowa State continued to build a lead on Indiana State at 45-28 to reach the media timeout. As the clock had just over a minute remaining in the third, Jackson drained her second shot beyond the arc as the Cyclones reached 50 points (50-33). Entering the final quarter, ISU led 54-36.
The fourth quarter began with a Crooks and-1 as the sophomore tallied six straight points with another free throw and jumper to follow, making it a 20-point game. ISU remained up by 20 as the score was finalized at 64-42.
Top Performer
Addy Brown had the 11th double-double of her young career with 12 points and 10 rebounds, the first of the season for ISU. Brown also had two assists, two steals and a block.
Up Next
No. 8 Iowa State next hosts Southern this Sunday, Nov. 10 at 2 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
Notes
Addy Brown recorded the 11th double-double of her career and first of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds … she is tied for 16th all-time in Iowa State history with Desiree Francis.
Audi Crooks has scored in double figures in 33 consecutive games … she scored 16 points and was 4-of-5 from the free throw line.
Sydney Harris scored in double figures for the first time as a Cyclone … it marks the 35th time in her career that she has scored 10 or more points in a game.
Lilly Taulelei made her Iowa State debut after missing the first game due to injury … she made her lone field goal attempt in two minutes of action.
Iowa State has won its last five home games, dating back to last season’s double overtime thriller against No. 7 Kansas State where the Cyclones were victorious, 96-93.
The Cyclones are 383-82 at home under head coach Bill Fennelly and 189-9 in non-conference home contests.
