Iowa State women’s basketball aims to rebound from a disappointing regular season with a March Madness run STORRS, Conn. — The Iowa State women’s basketball team entered the 2025-26 season with high expectations, hoping to contend for a Big 12 Conference title after retaining most of its roster. However, the Cyclones fell short of that goal, finishing with a 10-8 record in conference play. Despite the setback, the team is now focused on making a postseason push in the NCAA Tournament. As an 8-seed, Iowa State will attempt to make a deep run in March Madness, starting with a first-round matchup against 9-seed Syracuse at the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn., on March 21. The game is set for 4:30 p.m. CT. Forward Addy Brown emphasized the importance of starting fresh, stating, “We’re 0-0 coming in. We’re going to come into it with a fresh mindset.” The tournament represents a new opportunity for the Cyclones, who faced significant challenges during the regular season. Injuries to key players like Brown and guard Arianna Jackson disrupted their season, leading to a five-game losing streak and a drop out of the national rankings. Even when the team returned to full strength, it struggled, falling in the second round of the Big 12 Tournament. Despite these struggles, Iowa State secured 22 wins, including victories over ranked opponents Iowa and Texas Tech. The team’s performance in the Big 12 was inconsistent, with a 10-8 record that fell short of expectations. However, the NCAA Tournament offers a chance to rewrite their narrative. The core group of Brown, Jackson, and star player Audi Crooks, who helped the team earn a first-round win two years ago, remains a key asset. Last season, Iowa State won a game in the First Four before losing in the Round of 64.#audi_crooks #arianna_jackson #iowa_state_womens_basketball #addy_brown #bill_fennelly
Audi Crooks Highlights 3 Iowa State Cyclones Players Earning Big 12 Honors The Iowa State Cyclones women’s basketball team concluded the 2025-26 regular season with a 22-8 record, marking their fifth consecutive campaign with at least 21 wins. The .733 winning percentage ranks as the 11th highest in program history, setting the stage for postseason play after a decisive 93-79 victory over the Kansas State Wildcats. Audi Crooks made history during that game by scoring 41 points, elevating her career total of 40+ point games to five. This achievement ties her with Brittney Griner, formerly of Baylor, for the most in Big 12 conference history. Crooks’ dominance on the offensive end was instrumental in the Cyclones’ success, as she led the conference in scoring with 25.6 points per game, while also excelling in field goal percentage (65.1%), 2-point field goal percentage (66.4%), and effective field goal percentage (65.2%). Her all-around performance included 7.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.3 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game. Crooks’ accolades extended beyond her individual stats. She was named to the All-Big 12 First Team, joining a select group of 10 players recognized for their season-long contributions. Alongside her, guard Jada Williams also earned a spot on the first team. Williams, who transferred from the Arizona Wildcats, led the Big 12 with 7.7 assists per game in her first season with Iowa State. She averaged 15.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, complemented by 0.9 steals in 29.5 minutes of play. The Cyclones’ success was further highlighted by their representation on the All-Big 12 Team, as they became one of three programs with multiple players named to the 10-team group, alongside TCU and Kansas.#big_12 #audi_crooks #iowa_state_cyclones #jada_williams #arianna_jackson
