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Iowa State star Audi Crooks dominated with 30 points and 10 rebounds as the undefeated Cyclones defeated Iowa 74-69, ending their losing streak against their rivals.
Audi Crooks put on a show, dropping 30 points to help Iowa State snap their losing streak against rivals.
The college basketball sensation and Pat McAfee’s favorite women’s college player has been lighting it up throughout the 2025-26 season. Just last month, Crooks set a program record with a whopping 47 points against Indiana, and she kept that momentum going in the clash against Iowa, helping her team maintain their unbeaten run.
This matchup was once ruled by Caitlin Clark. The WNBA superstar had impressive performances of 19 and 35 points in two games during the Hawkeyes’ dominant stretch against the Cyclones, but Crooks has effectively ended that reign. With Clark no longer in the picture, Iowa had no answer for Iowa State’s outstanding center.
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Crooks comes in clutch
On Wednesday, Iowa State improved to 11-0 with a hard-fought 74-69 victory over their rivals at Hilton Coliseum, thanks to Crooks’ stellar 30-point, 10-rebound performance.
This marked the first real challenge from a non-conference opponent, but No. 10 Iowa State managed to secure a significant win over No. 11 Iowa. Addy Brown chipped in with 20 points, along with 12 rebounds and five assists.
The Cyclones held a comfortable 17-point lead late in the third quarter, but Iowa staged an incredible 26-12 comeback run to make it a nail-biter in the second half.
The Hawkeyes had a shot at tying the game, but Mackenzie Hare came up big with a block on Taylor McCabe’s 3-point attempt with just 16 seconds remaining, reports the Mirror US.
Crooks then nailed a free throw to bring the score to 73-69, marking her fourth 30-point game of the season. The 20 year old’s scoring spree extended to her 78th consecutive double-figure game – the longest ongoing streak in the country.
She has now racked up 20 or more points in nine out of 11 games this season.
Incredibly, this victory marks Crooks’ fifth career game with 30 points and 10 rebounds. She’s hot on the heels of former Virginia Tech standout Elizabeth Kitley (6) and USC sensation JuJu Watkins (7) for the most in DI since the 2023-24 season kicked off.
Crooks’ tally of 20-plus point games now stands at an impressive 50, while her count of 30-plus point games is at 12. This latest feat also counts as her third double-double of the season.
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Iowa was left scrambling for answers as they struggled to contain Crooks, who proved nearly invincible once she got hold of entry passes into the post. A good number of those came from Jada Williams, who set a personal record with 12 assists, along with 11 points and five rebounds.
The surging Cyclones are set to face off against Northern Iowa, who currently hold a 4-5 record, on Sunday, Dec. 14.
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