Audi Crooks Powers Iowa State Past Utah with Dominant Second Half Surge
SALT LAKE CITY - For a moment, it looked like Audi Crooks might have a quiet night. Two points in the first half, limited touches, and Utah hanging around. But if there's one thing we've learned this season, it's that Crooks doesn’t stay quiet for long.
Coming out of halftime, the Iowa State center flipped the switch - and the game - with an 8-0 solo run that jolted the Cyclones into control. That stretch not only ignited a 30-18 third quarter surge but also marked her 90th consecutive game scoring in double figures.
By the final buzzer, Crooks had poured in a game-high 26 points, her 17th 20-point performance of the season, as Iowa State held off a late Utah push to secure a 79-72 road win at the Jon M. Huntsman Center.
Crooks’ third-quarter takeover was the turning point. Utah had just scored to cut the Cyclones’ lead to four, and then Crooks went to work - powering through defenders, finishing around the rim, and drawing fouls. Her interior dominance created space for Iowa State’s shooters, and they took full advantage.
Jada Williams, Arianna Jackson, and Sydney Harris each finished in double figures, combining for 38 points and all 10 of Iowa State’s makes from beyond the arc. Harris and Jackson each knocked down four triples, while Williams added two of her own. That perimeter production proved critical, especially in a game where every possession mattered down the stretch.
As a team, the Cyclones shot an efficient 45.9% from the field and 41.7% from three-point range, staying composed and connected on the offensive end. They also got a solid lift from the bench, which chipped in 23 points - a meaningful edge over Utah’s 14 bench points.
Defensively, Iowa State stayed disciplined enough to weather Utah’s late charge. After building a game-high 19-point lead midway through the third quarter - punctuated by a Harris three that made it 54-35 - the Cyclones had to hold off a final push.
Utah trimmed the deficit to six in the closing seconds, thanks to a 5-0 burst capped by a Maty Wilke three with nine seconds left. But Crooks calmly stepped to the line and iced the game with a free throw, sealing the win.
With the victory, Iowa State improves to 19-5 overall and 7-5 in Big 12 play - a solid road win in a tough environment and another reminder of just how dangerous this team can be when Crooks gets rolling and the shooters find their rhythm.
This wasn’t just a win - it was a statement. The Cyclones showed they can take a punch, respond with force, and close out games on the road. And with Crooks anchoring the paint and a supporting cast that’s growing more confident by the game, Iowa State is shaping up to be a team no one wants to see come March.