Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa, was buzzing with anticipation on Sunday, January 4, 2026, as the No. 10 Iowa State Cyclones welcomed the No. 22 Baylor Bears for a high-stakes women’s basketball showdown. Both teams entered the contest with impressive credentials—ISU boasting a flawless 14-0 record (2-0 Big 12), while Baylor arrived at 12-3 (1-1 Big 12), determined to make a statement in conference play.
The matchup promised fireworks, and it certainly delivered. The Cyclones, led by their formidable "Big 3" of Addy Brown, Audi Crooks, and Jada Williams, had been the talk of the NCAA, ranking in the top three of the Big 12 in 14 statistical categories and leading eight. Crooks, in particular, had been on a historic tear, entering the game with an 80-game streak of scoring in double figures—the longest active run in NCAA women’s basketball and the best in program history.
Fans, decked out in white for the much-hyped "White Out" at Hilton, filled the arena with energy, hoping to witness a bit of history. With a victory, Iowa State would move to 15-0 for the first time ever, surpassing even the storied starts of the Bill Fennelly era. The Cyclones' recent dominance over Baylor in the Big 12 Championship quarterfinals—winning two of the last three—added another layer of intrigue to an already intense rivalry.
From the opening tip, the action was fierce. Audi Crooks wasted no time, scoring the Cyclones’ first nine points and finishing the first quarter a perfect 6-for-6 from the field with 14 points. Baylor’s Darianna Littlepage-Buggs answered with 12 points of her own in the opening frame, but ISU edged ahead 21-17 by the end of the first quarter. Both teams battled for every rebound and loose ball, with turnovers and offensive boards keeping the score tight.
In the second quarter, Baylor began to find its rhythm, embarking on an 11-2 run that put ISU on its heels. The Bears’ aggressive defense and timely shooting saw them outscore the Cyclones 18-11 in the period. Despite Crooks’ continued dominance—she racked up 22 points by halftime on 9-of-11 shooting—Iowa State struggled to find consistent offense elsewhere. Jada Williams, the transfer point guard from Arizona tasked with replacing five-year starter Emily Ryan, returned after a brief injury scare to contribute a much-needed three-pointer, but Addy Brown was held scoreless on just two shot attempts in the half.
Baylor closed the half with a 6-0 spurt to take a narrow 41-39 lead into the locker room. The Cyclones’ offense, so potent all season, looked out of sync, with turnovers mounting and the Bears’ defense packing the paint to limit Crooks’ touches. As one observer noted, “Iowa State continues to be sloppy with the ball (up to eight turnovers now).”
The third quarter saw both teams struggle to capitalize on opportunities, with shooting percentages dipping below 40% for both squads. Baylor’s Taliah Scott, held scoreless in the first half on 0-for-8 shooting, finally got on the board, though she remained cold from the field. Addy Brown picked up her third foul early in the quarter, forcing her to the bench and further limiting her impact. Jada Williams, meanwhile, pressed on, attacking the basket and notching a crucial steal and layup. Still, the Bears’ strategy was clear: force anyone but Crooks or Brown to beat them. By the end of the third, the teams were deadlocked at 56, thanks to a late three-pointer from Baylor’s Kenzie Hare.
As the final period unfolded, tension mounted with every possession. Baylor’s defense continued to swarm Crooks, who managed just four points in the second half after her explosive start. “Crooks still has just four points this half. Brown finally scored. She has two points,” recapped one analyst, highlighting the Bears’ successful adjustments. Williams, undeterred, kept firing—ultimately finishing with 20 points on 24 shots, including 4-of-14 from beyond the arc. But with the Bears daring her to shoot, the Cyclones’ offense sputtered at key moments.
The closing minutes were a showcase of grit and nerves. With 1:05 left, Baylor clung to a 70-67 lead, but three turnovers in the previous two minutes left the door open for Iowa State. The Cyclones clawed back, tying the game in the waning seconds. Then, with the clock ticking down, Baylor’s Taliah Scott—scoreless in the first half—rose to the occasion. She drained a 16-foot jumper with just two seconds remaining, delivering a dagger that put the Bears up 72-70. Iowa State had one last chance, but couldn’t get a shot off before the buzzer sounded.
The final box told the story of a game that slipped through the Cyclones’ fingers. Audi Crooks finished with 26 points, 22 of which came before halftime, while Jada Williams’ 20-point effort was tempered by inefficiency. Addy Brown, usually a reliable third option, managed just two points on 1-for-7 shooting. Iowa State shot 39% from the field, Baylor 37%, but the Bears’ resilience and late-game execution made the difference. “Probably one the Cyclones will look back on and say coulda shoulda woulda,” lamented a local reporter.
Baylor improved to 13-3 overall and 2-1 in the Big 12, while Iowa State suffered its first loss of the season, falling to 14-1 and 2-1 in conference play. The Cyclones’ dream of a perfect start was dashed, but there’s no time to dwell—the Big 12 gauntlet is just heating up, and both teams have proven they’ll be forces to reckon with as the season progresses.
As the dust settles in Ames, fans and coaches alike will be dissecting every possession and pondering what might have been. For the Cyclones, the challenge now is to regroup, learn, and keep their eyes on the bigger prize—the conference title and a deep March run. For Baylor, the victory is a statement: the Bears are back in the hunt, and no one in the Big 12 can afford to take them lightly.
