Analyzing the Strategic Defensive Adjustments Forced by Audi Crooks’ Dominance in the Post During the Iowa State vs Iowa Matchup
The No. 10 Iowa State Cyclones women’s basketball team secured a pivotal victory in the Cy Hawk Series rivalry, defeating the No. 11 Iowa Hawkeyes 74-69 on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at Hilton Coliseum. The win, which was the highest ranked matchup in series history, extends the Cyclones’ perfect start to 11-0, their best start in over a decade. The contest was dominated by Iowa State’s star center, Audi Crooks, whose unstoppable performance proved to be the difference maker in the gritty in state battle.
The immediate impact of the game was the sheer dominance of Audi Crooks, who was a matchup nightmare for the Hawkeyes all night. Crooks finished with a massive 30 points and 10 rebounds, marking her fourth 30 point game of the season and extending her nation leading streak of double figure scoring games to 78. She was aided by junior forward Addy Brown, who recorded a double double with 20 points and 12 rebounds, and point guard Jada Williams, who dished out a career high 12 assists. Despite a 17 point deficit late in the third quarter, Iowa mounted a furious 26-12 comeback run in the final frame, but a key block by Mackenzie Hare on a potential game tying three pointer sealed the 74-69 win for the Cyclones.
The strategic importance of this victory for Iowa State is significant, solidifying their status as a national title contender and giving them a crucial edge in the Cy Hawk Series. The Cyclones’ offense, built around Crooks’ efficiency and dominance in the post (she is leading the nation in field goal percentage), proved too much for Iowa’s usually stingy defense. Iowa’s primary defender, center Ava Heiden, got into early foul trouble and was limited to just 16 minutes, a strategic victory for Iowa State’s interior attack. On the other side, the Hawkeyes were led by Chazadi "Chit Chat" Wright’s career high 21 points, but they were unable to overcome the Cyclones’ superior offensive execution down the stretch.
Looking ahead, the future outlook for Iowa State (11-0) is a major rise in the national rankings and increased momentum heading toward Big 12 Conference play. The victory over a top 15 in state rival, coupled with the team’s best start in over a decade, provides significant confidence as they prepare to host Northern Iowa. For the Hawkeyes, the 74-69 loss drops their record to 9-1, ending their perfect season. They must now assess their defensive strategy for dealing with elite post threats as they continue their non conference schedule before beginning Big Ten play.