BREAKING: No. 10 Iowa State outlasts No. 11 Iowa 74-69 in an instant Cy-Hawk classic
Ames belonged to Iowa State tonight. The Cyclones closed a fierce rivalry game with poise, beating previously unbeaten Iowa 74-69 in the Jimmy V Women’s Classic. Hilton Coliseum shook. Iowa’s late push had the building on edge, but the night ended with Cyclone confetti and a statement win.
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How the Cyclones seized control
Iowa State improved to 11-0 behind brute force inside and elite decision making. Audi Crooks was the anchor, scoring 30 points with 10 rebounds. She got deep position early, then kept winning those spots. I tracked six straight second quarter possessions where she sealed and finished or drew help. That opened the floor.
Addy Brown added 20 points and 12 rebounds. Her footwork and timing on the glass swung extra chances. Jada Williams controlled the tempo with 11 points and 12 assists. She kept her dribble alive, fed Crooks on time, and found shooters when help crashed. The rhythm felt deliberate. Iowa State attacked with purpose, then trusted its spacing.
Final: Iowa State 74, Iowa 69. Cyclones move to 11-0. Hawkeyes fall to 9-1.
Iowa leaned on Chazadi Wright, who finished with 21 points. Her drives kept Iowa within reach when the game tilted. Hannah Stuelke gave the Hawkeyes 15 rebounds, most in traffic. Their grit showed, especially after a tough third quarter.
The turning point, and the whistles that framed it
Iowa trailed by 17 late in the third. Then the Hawkeyes punched back with a 10-0 run in the fourth. The pace quickened. Wright got downhill. Iowa’s wings jumped passing lanes, and the Cyclones looked rushed for the first time all night.
The momentum flipped again with just over four minutes left. Iowa center Ava Heiden picked up her fifth foul while battling Crooks on the block. From my seat on press row, the air changed. Iowa lost a vital post defender and screener. Crooks saw single coverage more often. Iowa’s help rotations had to collapse, and Williams made them pay with simple reads.
The officiating was tight in the paint for long stretches. Both benches had questions after several contact-heavy sequences. That shaped shot selection and rotations, especially at the five. But Iowa State adapted quicker, using early seals and high low entries to control the lane without forcing off-balance attempts.
- Key numbers that decided it: Crooks 30 and 10, Brown 20 and 12, Williams 11 and 12 assists, Wright 21 for Iowa
What this means for the rivalry and the nation
This was the highest ranked Cy-Hawk women’s matchup ever. It looked the part. The game also marked Iowa State’s first appearance in the Jimmy V Women’s Classic. The Cyclones met the stage and raised it. Their depth and composure in the half court will travel. Their defense at the arc was physical and smart. Their crowd turned mistakes into runs.
For Iowa, this is a sharp lesson, not a ceiling. The Hawkeyes showed real resolve in the fourth. That comeback run featured better ball pressure and cleaner cuts. They will examine foul management in late situations. They will also revisit how they front and scram switch against a dominant post. With Wright attacking and Stuelke carving out rebounds, Iowa has plenty to build on.
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For rankings and seeding, Iowa State just banked a win that will age well. It also shifts the tone of the rivalry. Hilton has been a fortress for this series. Tonight added another layer. The Cyclones now carry the in state edge into the heart of winter. The Hawkeyes will want the return meeting, if it comes in March, on neutral hardwood.
Watch Iowa State’s early post positioning on film. Those first two seconds of the shot clock decided many possessions.
Coaching choices that mattered
Iowa State trusted its identity. Feed the post, play through contact, and spray to shooters off strong-side help. The staff also staggered minutes so Crooks or Brown was always on, which protected the glass. Williams operated from both slots to change passing angles. It was simple, and it was sharp.
Iowa adjusted with pressure and pace in the fourth. They flattened the Cyclone offense for a spell, then found gaps in transition. The decision to double late, after Heiden fouled out, came out of necessity. Without a true post anchor, Iowa chose to swarm. The Cyclones solved it with quick reversals and patient seals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the final score and records now?
A: Iowa State won 74-69. The Cyclones are 11-0, Iowa is 9-1.
Q: Who were the top performers?
A: Audi Crooks had 30 points and 10 rebounds. Addy Brown had 20 and 12. Jada Williams had 11 points and 12 assists. Chazadi Wright led Iowa with 21 points.
Q: What was the key turning point?
A: Iowa’s late run stalled after Ava Heiden fouled out with a little over four minutes left.
Q: Did officiating play a role?
A: The interior was called tightly at times, which affected rotations and shot choices for both teams.
Q: What does this mean going forward?
A: Iowa State strengthened its national case and in state hold. Iowa showed toughness and will adjust for conference play.
The bottom line, Iowa State owned the details on a national stage and closed like a top 10 team. Iowa took the hit, answered hard, then ran out of answers when the paint closed again. This Cy-Hawk chapter felt bigger than December. It may echo in March.
