Iowa State Holds Off Kansas State, 76-72, at Hilton Coliseum
Iowa State edged Kansas State 76-72 on Sunday at Hilton Coliseum, using stout defense and late free-throw shooting to withstand a second-half rally. The win moved the Cyclones to 20-6 overall and 8-6 in Big 12 play, while the Wildcats dropped to 14-13 and 7-7 in conference action.
How the game unfolded
Iowa State led for more than 32 minutes, building as much as a 13-point cushion late in the third quarter, but Kansas State clawed back behind a hot second-half performance from Taryn Sides. The Wildcats trimmed the margin to two points multiple times in the closing minutes, but Iowa State closed the game at the free-throw line, finishing 25-for-28 from the stripe to ice the victory.
The matchup was scheduled for a 1 p. m. CT tipoff (2 p. m. ET) and featured a physical, foul-filled first quarter. Kansas State held a 20-19 edge after the opening period despite shooting just 27 percent, but the Cyclones tightened defensively in the second quarter and carried a 37-30 lead into the break.
Key performers
Jada Williams led the Cyclones with 22 points while dishing nine assists and grabbing five rebounds. Williams was perfect from the free-throw line, going 12-for-12, and scored 18 of her points in the second half as Iowa State held off the late push.
Audi Crooks added 20 points and nine rebounds, extending her streak of double-figure scoring to 92 straight games and reaching the 20-point mark for the 18th time this season. Ariana Jackson was the only other Cyclone in double figures, finishing with 11 points and knocking down three 3-pointers.
For Kansas State, Taryn Sides poured in a game-high 23 points, 20 of them coming after halftime as the Wildcats mounted their comeback. The visitors rallied from a 13-point deficit late in the third quarter to make the finish tense, but Iowa State’s late foul-line accuracy proved decisive.
Injury update and what's next
The Cyclones remain without guard/forward Addy Brown for the immediate future. Brown has been sidelined since Jan. 4 with a lower-body injury but has recently been cleared to resume limited basketball activities. Head coach Bill Fennelly said Brown participated in an individual workout, but she was not available for Sunday’s game. Fennelly expressed cautious optimism that Brown could return before the end of the season if her steady progress continues.
Iowa State rebounded from an 83-69 loss at BYU on Feb. 10 that ended a five-game win streak. The Cyclones will stay at home for their next conference test, with a midweek matchup scheduled for Wednesday evening at Hilton Coliseum; tipoff is set for 7: 30 p. m. ET.
The victory marks the 19th 20-win season under the Cyclones’ long-time head coach and gives Iowa State momentum as league play intensifies down the stretch.
