FORT MYERS, Fla. – No. 15 Iowa State (6-2, 0-0 Big 12) took down Middle Tennessee (6-2, 0-0 C-USA), 75-59 in the Cyclones’ second game of the Fort Myers Tip-Off in Florida. The Cyclones made eight three-pointers as a team in the victory.Audi Crooks led the way for the Cyclones with 21 points on nearly 70 percent shooting from the field. Addy Brown was the only other Cyclone to score in double digits with 12 points but also added eight rebounds. Emily Ryan totaled seven assists in the game.
Crooks opened the scoring for the Cyclones with two layups in the first few minutes. A Kenzie Hare layup and Sydney Harris three-pointer would give the Cyclones nine points at the first media timeout, but they would trail 10-9. Middle Tennessee converted a layup out of the break, but Arianna Jackson responded with a three to tie it up at 12. After the Blue Raiders went ahead 17-14, Aili Tanke converted a layup in the final seconds of the first quarter to pull the Cyclones within one entering the break.
A Tanke triple less than a minute into the second quarter gave the Cyclones their first lead of the game at 21-19. Middle Tennessee responded with an 8-2 run however to hold the 27-23 advantage. A pair of baskets from Crooks and Brown tied the game back up at 27 before Brown cashed in a three to take back the lead. The Cyclones began to take control of the game, using a Hare and-one and Brown buzzer-beating three to pull ahead 41-33 to end the first half.
Brown started the second half by knocking down a tough two on the first possession to put the Cyclones up double digits. Iowa State continued to extend its lead after a Hare three-point play and Tanke triple put them up 51-35. The Cyclones took a 54-39 lead into the third quarter media timeout. The teams would go back and forth during the last few minutes of the period and the Cyclones entered the final period leading 60-47.
Crooks started to catch fire in the fourth, hitting three turnaround shots in the first few minutes to put her at 21 points for the game and put the Cyclones up 21. The Blue Raiders would make it a little closer, but it would not be enough, as Iowa State hung on to win 75-59.
Top Performer
Audi Crooks tallied 21 points on 9-for-14 shooting from the field along with six rebounds and two assists in 32 minutes. Crooks was named to the all-tournament team with her performance in Fort Myers.
Audi Crooks tallied 21 points on 9-for-14 shooting from the field along with six rebounds and two assists in 32 minutes. Crooks was named to the all-tournament team with her performance in Fort Myers.
Up Next
Iowa State hosts USC Upstate on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
Iowa State hosts USC Upstate on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
Notes
- Iowa State’s all-time women’s basketball record moves to 854-668 (.561).
- Head coach Bill Fennelly’s Iowa State record moves to 617-315 (.662) and his career record moves to 783-368 (.680).
- The Cyclones have made at least one 3-point field goal in an NCAA women’s record 935 consecutive games. ISU has made 7,580 triples throughout the streak and has finished with 10 or more 3-pointers in a game 286 times.
- Iowa State shot over 54 percent from the field against Middle Tennessee, the third game the Cyclones have shot over 50 percent from the floor this season.
- With her third point of the day, Addy Brown scored her 100th point of the season. She has tallied 109 points this season and 538 in her career.
- Audi Crooks has finished with 10 or more points in 40 consecutive games after she tallied 21 points today. It is her fourth 20-plus point performance of the season and 21st of her career.
- Emily Ryan finished with a game-high seven assists today, moving her career total to 844 dimes. The mark is tied for 24th all-time in NCAA Division I women’s basketball.
I didn’t know Iowa State had a Woman’s Football team!
Well, Audi Crooks could play on the offensive line.