Kentucky Wildcats vs. Iowa State Cyclones Live Score and Stats - March 22, 2026 Gametracker - CBS Sports The No. 2 seed Iowa State Cyclones advanced in the NCAA tournament with a decisive 89-72 victory over the No. 1 seed Kentucky Wildcats, fueled by a standout performance from junior guard Tamin Lipsey. The game, played at the Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, saw the Cyclones dominate the second half, turning a 38-35 halftime deficit into a 14-point lead by the final buzzer. Lipsey, who missed most of the season with a knee injury, poured in 26 points and dished out 10 assists, leading the Cyclones’ balanced attack. Kentucky entered the game as a heavy favorite, but Iowa State’s relentless defense and offensive efficiency dismantled the Wildcats’ high-octane style. The Cyclones forced 18 turnovers, including a critical four-turnover stretch in the second half that allowed them to seize control. Lipsey’s ability to create opportunities for teammates was pivotal, as he connected on 7-of-12 three-pointers and drew three key fouls in the final 10 minutes. Iowa State’s victory was also buoyed by the absence of injured forward Keenan Evans, who missed the game after sustaining a knee injury in the first round. The Cyclones’ depth proved crucial, with players like Mouhamed Dioubate and Blake Buchanan contributing 14 and 12 points respectively. Kentucky, meanwhile, struggled to contain Iowa State’s transition game, which accounted for 32 points. The game’s turning point came in the second half when Iowa State’s defense tightened, forcing Kentucky into contested shots and turnovers. The Cyclones’ bench outscored Kentucky’s by 17 points, with Dioubate and Jamarion Batemon combining for 16 points off the bench.#kentucky_wildcats #iowa_state_cyclones #tamin_lipsey #keenan_evans #mouhamed_dioubate
Syracuse women’s basketball: what to watch and predictions vs Iowa State The 9th-seeded Syracuse Orange will take on the 8th-seeded Iowa State Cyclones in a college basketball matchup tomorrow night in Storrs, Connecticut. The game is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN2, with Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo, and Holly Rowe serving as the broadcast team. Key factors to monitor during the contest include Iowa State’s ability to stretch the floor from beyond the arc. The Cyclones are shooting 36.5% from three-point range, with four players hitting over 35% of their attempts. This presents a challenge for Syracuse, as the Orange must avoid overcommitting to defend Audi Crooks, who is a primary threat. The strategy for Syracuse may involve limiting direct matchups between Crooks and Uche Izoje, allowing the Cyclones’ shooters to operate with fewer defenders. Whether the Orange can execute this plan effectively will be critical. Another focal point is Syracuse’s offensive output. The team relies heavily on its ability to force turnovers, block shots, and secure rebounds to create second-chance opportunities. However, Iowa State’s efficient three-point shooting and strong ball movement make them a difficult matchup. For Syracuse to succeed, they will need to generate extra possessions while also converting them into points. Uche Izoje’s performance against Crooks will be pivotal, but other players such as Phelia and Burrows will also need to contribute, especially with Dominique Darius sidelined. Predictions for the game vary between analysts. One projection suggests Iowa State will prevail 77-71, citing the Cyclones’ superior scoring efficiency and firepower.#audi_crooks #iowa_state_cyclones #syracuse_womens_basketball #storrs_connecticut #uche_izoje
Syracuse Women's Basketball Set for NCAA Tournament Opener Against Iowa State The ninth-seeded Syracuse Orange will face the eighth-seeded Iowa State Cyclones in their NCAA Tournament opener this weekend. The game, scheduled for Saturday, March 21, will take place in Storrs, Connecticut, with a tip-off time of 5:30 pm EST. The matchup will be broadcast on ESPN2, with live audio available through cuse.com. Syracuse enters the tournament with a 23-8 record, including a 12-6 performance in the ACC. Iowa State, meanwhile, carries a 22-9 overall record and a 10-8 mark in the Big 12. The two teams have a history of neutral-site meetings, with Syracuse holding a 2-0 all-time advantage. The Orange defeated Iowa State by 20 points in Storrs during the 2016-17 season and repeated the victory by 12 points in the 2023-24 season. The game’s key matchup will center around the post play between Syracuse’s Uche Izoje and Iowa State’s Audi Crooks. Izoje, a defensive anchor for the Orange, will aim to limit Crooks’ impact in the paint while using her mid-range shooting to disrupt the Cyclones’ offense. Crooks, a prolific scorer, will look to assert dominance against Syracuse’s freshman standout, Izoje, in a battle of top-tier centers. Syracule is currently listed as a 7.5-point underdog against Iowa State, with the game’s over-under total set at 149.5 points. A Syracuse victory would mark one of the most significant upsets in women’s college basketball history, while a loss would still grant both teams a spot in the tournament. The stakes are high for the Orange, who are seeking to make a deep run in the postseason after a strong regular season.#audi_crooks #iowa_state_cyclones #syracuse_womens_basketball #storrs_connecticut #uche_izoje
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 the fifth consecutive year the program has secured at least 21 victories. The team’s .733 winning percentage ranks as the 11th highest in program history, setting the stage for a strong postseason run after a decisive 93-79 victory over the Kansas State Wildcats. Audi Crooks, a standout performer for the Cyclones, made history during the win by scoring 41 points, elevating her to fifth in Big 12 conference history with five career 40-point games. This achievement ties her with Brittney Griner, the former Baylor Bears star, for the most such performances in conference history. Crooks’ dominance on the court was further highlighted by her selection to the All-Big 12 First Team, where she led the conference in scoring with 25.6 points per game. She also ranked among the top performers in field goal percentage (65.1%), 2-point field goal percentage (66.4%), and effective field goal percentage (65.2%). Her all-around impact extended to 7.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.3 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game. Joining Crooks on the All-Big 12 First Team was guard Jada Williams, who led the conference with 7.7 assists per game in her first season with Iowa State after transferring from the Arizona Wildcats. Williams contributed 15.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, alongside 0.9 steals in 29.5 minutes of play. The Cyclones’ success in securing multiple first-team selections placed them among three programs with multiple players on the 10-player list, alongside TCU and the Kansas Jayhawks. Beyond individual accolades, the Cyclones also recognized junior guard Arianna Jackson as the Scholar-Athlete of the Year.#big_12 #audi_crooks #iowa_state_cyclones #jada_williams #arrianna_jackson
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
