In a thrilling start to the Big 12 season, the Iowa State Cyclones secured a 79-76 victory over the Kansas Jayhawks on December 21, 2025. The standout of the match was Audi Crooks, who delivered an impressive performance, scoring 41 points on 19-of-28 shooting. This marks her third 40-point game of the season, establishing her as a dominant force in college basketball.
Entering the game, many anticipated heavy defensive attention on Crooks, the nation’s leading scorer with a remarkable shooting percentage of 72 percent. With Kansas missing two key players from their rotation, it appeared that Crooks would be a primary focus for the Jayhawks. Surprisingly, Kansas opted for a different strategy, allowing Crooks to operate in the paint while attempting to limit Iowa State’s effectiveness from beyond the arc.
The Cyclones, known for their ability to shoot three-pointers—averaging 8.6 makes per game at a 38.3 percent success rate—struggled in this aspect during the game, hitting only 2-of-8 from long range. In contrast, the Jayhawks found success from deep, making 12-of-21 attempts. Despite this, Crooks capitalized on her opportunities in the paint, consistently finding ways to score.
“It’s absolute heaven. It’s a post player’s dream,” Crooks said in a postgame interview with ESPN. “If you want to double me, you’re going to leave a really, really talented player on the 3-point line. I don’t know if that’s a risk that I would take.”
Crooks’ scoring showcased her versatility. She dominated inside, consistently converting on post-ups and making effective use of her size and strength against her defenders. Her scoring was steady, with 10 points in each of the first, second, and fourth quarters, and 11 points in the third quarter.
As the game progressed, the Cyclones seemed to be in control, holding a comfortable 11-point lead with just under seven minutes left. However, Kansas made a strong push, quickly narrowing the gap while Crooks rested on the bench. Following a timeout called by Bill Fennelly, head coach for Iowa State, Crooks returned to the court and quickly made her presence felt, scoring on three of the next four possessions.
In a final twist, with the game tied and just 5.2 seconds remaining, Iowa State attempted a designed play to get the ball to Crooks. Yet, the Jayhawks finally adjusted their defense, which allowed Addy Brown to find Mackenzie Hare open for a decisive three-pointer, clinching the win for Iowa State.
“That play did not go as planned,” Crooks noted postgame. “We made an adjustment because they made an adjustment, and it worked in our favor.”
With this victory, the Cyclones improved their record to 13-0, including 1-0 in the Big 12, as they look ahead to maintaining their undefeated streak into 2026. Crooks’ scoring prowess continues to set her apart, making her a player to watch as the season progresses.
