KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Iowa State faced a tough defeat against No. 17 Baylor in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championship, ending the game with a score of 69-63.
The Cyclones started behind, trailing by as much as 14 points. However, they made a strong comeback, closing the first half with a 9-0 run that brought the score to 38-33. Iowa State led briefly in the fourth quarter but couldn’t maintain it as Baylor regained control to secure their victory.
Audi Crooks was a standout, scoring 32 points. This marks the third-highest point total for a Cyclone in Big 12 Tournament history. Crooks also set a record with her 65th consecutive game scoring in double figures, surpassing a record previously held by Angie Welle.
Emily Ryan contributed five assists during the game, which brought her tournament career total to a record-breaking 78 assists. Ryan also added nine points and showcased her skills at the free-throw line, going 5-for-5.
Baylor started strong, quickly taking a 10-point lead before Crooks could score. Iowa State fought back, with contributions from Sydney Harris and Addy Brown helping to narrow the gap. The Cyclones kept battling, bringing the score to 44-40 in the second half.
As the fourth quarter began, Iowa State was down by just two points, and a huge three-pointer from Arianna Jackson even gave them a short-lived lead. But Baylor responded strong and pulled away again, ultimately sealing the game.
Notable Performances
Audi Crooks hit the 30-point mark for the seventh time this season. Her final stats included 32 points on 14-of-18 shooting, six assists, and one steal. Emily Ryan’s five assists added to her impressive career total of 982, just shy of becoming one of the top assist leaders in NCAA Division I history.
Looking Ahead
The next big event is the selection show for the 2025 NCAA DI Women’s Basketball Tournament on March 16 at 7 p.m., airing on ESPN.
Interesting Facts
- Iowa State’s record now stands at 889 wins and 677 losses.
- Head coach Bill Fennelly has an impressive career record of 799 wins.
- The Cyclones achieved their best single-season assist record with a total of 636 assists.
- Addy Brown reached significant milestones, tallying her 500th point and 250th rebound this season.
- Audi Crooks has scored 763 points this season, setting an Iowa State record.
- Emily Ryan has participated in 151 games, the second-most for the team.
- Sydney Harris scored her 900th career point during this game.
- Alisa Williams recorded her 100th career rebound.
Check out this related article: Arizona Dominates St. John’s and NAU: Highlights from an Exciting Matchup – University of Arizona Athletics
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