The Iowa State women's basketball team faced off against Oklahoma State for their Big 12 opener on January 1, 2023, in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Unfortunately for the Cyclones, the match ended with them suffering an 81-75 defeat, marking their first loss of the conference season and pushing their record to 9-5 and 0-1 in the Big 12.
The game started poorly for Iowa State, with Oklahoma State quickly jumping out to a 10-2 lead. The Cowgirls maintained their momentum, leading by seven (22-15) at the end of the first quarter. After extending their lead to 35-20, the Cyclones struggled to find their rhythm, shooting below 40 percent, which saw them head to halftime trailing 41-29.
Despite falling behind by as many as 17 points early in the second half, Iowa State began to claw their way back. Star player Audi Crooks, who eventually ended the night with 28 points and 11 rebounds, turned up her performance significantly after being quiet during the first half. Crooks led the charge during the third quarter with 17 points, showcasing her skill with several key jumpers.
A tremendous 18-5 run by the Cyclones began to shift the momentum, as they fought to overcome their deficit. The standout play from Crooks, along with contributions from Addy Brown and Kelsey Joens, was pivotal as they closed the gap. Brown recorded 15 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, nearly achieving her first career triple-double.
Heading to the fourth quarter, Iowa State showed true resilience and tied the game at 67 on another pivotal three-pointer from Sydney Harris. But just when it seemed Iowa State might flip the script, Oklahoma State's Micah Gray secured the lead back with a layup. The Cowgirls surged forward, managing to pull away as Iowa State struggled offensively, hitting only 2-of-8 from the field down the stretch.
With the close call against Oklahoma State, coach Bill Fennelly’s Cyclones experienced yet another frustrating finish, marking their third loss out of the last four games. The team had hoped their tough non-conference schedule would prepare them for the rigorous Big 12 competition, but this opening game served as a stark reminder of the challenges within the conference.
"The huge games from Crooks and Brown were enough to help Iowa State recover from an ugly start," reported by the source. But the effort fell short, and the Cyclones left Stillwater with lessons learned rather than the coveted win.
Iowa State will look to bounce back when they host Kansas on January 1 at 2 p.m., hoping for redemption and to turn their season around as they strive to uphold expectations set at the beginning of the season, where they were picked to finish second within the Big 12.
The encounter showed flashes of brilliance from the Cyclones, but it also highlighted areas needing improvement if they wish to contend effectively. With Crooks’ strong performance, now having scored more than 20 points for the eighth time this season, and her sixth double-double, she remains the backbone of this team.
Other noteworthy performances included Emily Ryan, who not only tallied valuable points but achieved personal milestones, such as becoming the fifth Cyclone to record 200 career steals and passing 1,400 career points, now sitting at 1,402 total.
Iowa State's all-time women's basketball record now stands at 876-671, and coach Bill Fennelly has made significant contributions to the program's success with his career record improving to 786-371. The Cyclones are expected to regroup and refine their strategies as they prepare for more conference challenges moving forward.
Despite the setback, the Cyclones are determined to build upon their early successes and rectify their course through the remainder of the season, as they enter the home game against Kansas with renewed focus.
