Cyclones Outlast Kansas State in Gritty 76-72 Win Behind Williams and Crooks
In a game that had all the intensity of March basketball, Iowa State pulled out a hard-fought 76-72 win over Kansas State on Saturday night at Hilton Coliseum. It was the kind of game where every possession mattered, and when the Cyclones needed their stars the most, Jada Williams and Audi Crooks showed up in a big way.
Williams poured in 22 points, 18 of them coming in the second half, while Crooks added 20 of her own, including 12 after the break. The duo didn’t just score-they orchestrated. Williams dished out nine assists, Crooks grabbed nine boards, and together they anchored an Iowa State offense that showed poise in crunch time.
But this game wasn’t just about the stars. It was about timely shooting, grit at the free throw line, and a second-quarter surge that proved to be the difference.
Let’s start there. Iowa State outscored Kansas State 18-10 in the second frame, and in a game where the other three quarters were essentially a dead heat, that eight-point swing loomed large. The Cyclones leaned into their offensive rhythm during that stretch, moving the ball well and getting quality looks, while tightening up defensively to keep the Wildcats at bay.
Kansas State, to their credit, didn’t go quietly. Taryn Sides led the Wildcats with 23 points, and they kept the pressure on all night. But every time Kansas State made a push, Iowa State had an answer.
One of those answers came from beyond the arc. The trio of Arrianna Jackson, Kenzie Hare, and Sydney Harris combined to go 7-of-15 from deep-an efficient and timely performance from long range.
None of those shots were bigger than Hare’s second three of the night, which came with just 56 seconds left on the clock. That bucket forced Kansas State to speed up their offense and start playing the foul game, which is where things got really interesting.
Coming into the game, Iowa State was the worst free throw shooting team in the Big 12. But on this night, they flipped the script, going 25-for-28 from the line.
That’s not just improvement-that’s game-changing. Had they shot their usual percentage, this one likely swings the other way.
But instead, the Cyclones were calm, confident, and clutch at the stripe.
There were, however, some areas that still need tightening up. Iowa State turned the ball over 16 times, compared to 12 for Kansas State.
And those giveaways hurt-the Wildcats turned them into 22 points, while the Cyclones only managed 11 off turnovers. Some of those early miscues came from trying to force the ball to Crooks in traffic, a habit that reared its head in the first quarter before being cleaned up in the second half.
Still, it’s a reminder that taking care of the ball will be critical moving forward, especially against teams that thrive in transition.
With the win, Iowa State moves to 8-6 in conference play, now locked in a three-way tie for seventh place alongside Arizona State and Utah. Every game from here on out carries weight-not just for Big 12 tournament seeding, but also for NCAA tournament positioning. The margin for error is slim, and the Cyclones know it.
Next up: Arizona State comes to Hilton Coliseum on Wednesday night, marking their first visit to Ames since 1994. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m.
CT on ESPN+. With both teams sitting at 8-6, this matchup could have major implications for that first-round bye in the conference tournament.
If Saturday night was any indication, the Cyclones are ready for the fight-and their stars are ready to lead the way.