In a game of steaks, Iowa State and Audi Crooks outlasted Iowa 74-69. After a even first half, the Cyclones dominated the third quarter to go up 17 at one point behind the relentless inside play of Crooks. She had 12 rebounds and most of her 30 points were deep in the paint.
Head Coach Jan Jenson was upbeat after the game. “I like our youth. I like it a lot, but it kind of showed we’re a little young. We didn’t quite have the minutes of our young players as we have been having, but I just think we’re going to grow a lot from this.”
The Cyclone’s took a strong 6-0 run out of halftime to push ahead of the Hawkeyes. Senior Taylor McCabe got the scoring started for Iowa with her second three-point basket of the day to cut the deficit down to three. McCabe led Iowa with six third quarter points whole also dishing out one assist and one rebound. After 30 minutes, Iowa trailed Iowa State, 61-48.
Senior Hannah Stuelke tallied six points, as did Wright with two more three-point baskets, giving her four on the day. The Hawkeyes came back from a 17-point deficit going on a 14-4 run in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter. The Cyclones were able to shut the door on Iowa in the last few minutes handing them their first loss of the season. Both teams shot poorly from the free throw line but Iowa State held on long enough to give the Hawkeyes their first loss of the season.
Chit-Chat Wright led the scoring for Iowa with a career-high 21 points and three assists. Wright went 4-for-8 on three-point baskets and shot 54 percent from the field. Iowa shot 27-of-63 (42.9 percent) from the field and 9-of-24 (37.5 percent) from deep. Iowa shot 6-of-12 (50 percent) from the charity stipe. Iowa was outrebounded, 39-32. Iowa will return home to face Lindenwood on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. (CT). The contest will air on B1G+ and the Hawkeye Radio Network. Coverage is brought to you by Ed Morse Chevy Buick GMC, Meineke Muffler, Muscatine Power and Water and Community Health Care Dental Clinic.
