Iowa State Women’s Basketball Keeps Rolling, Looks to Extend Win Streak at BYU
The Cyclones are heating up at just the right time.
Riding a five-game win streak, Iowa State heads into Provo tonight to face BYU with momentum squarely on their side. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. local time, and if recent trends hold, the Cyclones could be poised to keep climbing the Big 12 standings.
Let’s start with what’s clicking. Iowa State’s offense is humming, and it starts with Audi Crooks, who continues to play like one of the most dominant scorers in the country.
Against Utah on Saturday, Crooks poured in 24 points in the second half alone and grabbed eight boards, once again showing why she’s leading the nation in scoring at 25.9 points per game. She’s not just putting up numbers-she’s taking over games.
The Cyclones also shot the ball well from deep in Salt Lake City, hitting 10 of 24 from beyond the arc. Arrianna Jackson and Sydney Harris each knocked down four triples, helping Iowa State build a lead that ballooned to 19 points at one stage. Utah made a late push, but the Cyclones held firm for a 79-72 win, adding another quality road victory to their resume.
Meanwhile, BYU is trending in the opposite direction. The Cougars have dropped four of their last five, including back-to-back blowout losses to Kansas and Kansas State-both by more than 20 points.
Their lone recent win came against rival Utah, a solid victory, but it hasn’t been enough to stop the slide. At 5-7 in conference play, BYU has slipped out of ESPN’s projected NCAA Tournament field, now listed among the “first four out.”
Iowa State, on the other hand, sits in the “last four byes,” according to the same projections. That makes tonight’s matchup more than just another game-it’s a potential swing point for both teams’ postseason hopes.
What BYU Brings to the Table
Despite their recent struggles, BYU does a few things well-most notably, crashing the offensive glass. The Cougars lead the Big 12 with 14.1 offensive rebounds per game.
They may not shoot a high percentage, but those second-chance opportunities can keep them competitive even when the initial shots aren’t falling. Iowa State will need to be locked in on the defensive boards to avoid giving BYU life.
The Cougars also rank third in the conference in steals, which means Iowa State’s ball security will be tested. But here’s where the Cyclones have quietly improved: they’re leading the Big 12 in fewest turnovers per game during league play, averaging just 14.2.
Over the last five games, that number has dipped even lower to 12.4. That’s a major shift from last season and a big reason this team is surging.
The Bigger Picture
BYU’s overall point differential in conference play sits at -3.8, which ranks 12th in the Big 12-only ahead of Cincinnati’s -9.4. That stat suggests the Cougars’ record might be a bit inflated, and their recent losses could be more of a market correction than a slump.
Metrics like Bart Torvik and the NCAA’s NET rankings place BYU in the mid-50s nationally, sandwiched between Kansas and Kansas State. Iowa State, by contrast, checks in at 33 in both rankings.
That gap reflects what we’re seeing on the court. The Cyclones are playing with confidence, cohesion, and a sense of purpose.
Even with Addy Brown sidelined, the team has adjusted roles and found a rhythm that’s working. Players are stepping up, and the chemistry is showing.
A win tonight would not only extend the win streak to six-it would also set the stage for a big-time matchup back in Ames against Kansas State in the annual Play4Kay game. That one’s going to have Hilton Coliseum rocking.
But first, Iowa State has to take care of business in Provo. Keep Crooks rolling, control the boards, take care of the ball, and the Cyclones should be in good shape to keep the good times rolling.