Audi Crooks Delivers Fifth Straight 30 Point Performance as Iowa State Overpowers Houston 80 to 62

Audi Crooks continued one of the most dominant scoring stretches in women college basketball, recording her fifth consecutive game of at least 30 points as Iowa State pulled away in the second half for an 80 to 62 win over Houston in a breaking Big 12 update that underscored the Cyclones growing momentum.

Crooks set the tone early by establishing position in the paint and finishing efficiently around the rim, helping Iowa State weather an uneven opening quarter before taking control with pace and physicality. After a narrow 17 to 14 lead at the end of the first quarter, the Cyclones surged behind ball movement and interior scoring, outscoring Houston 28 to 17 in the second quarter to build a 45 to 31 halftime advantage.

The latest timeline of the game reflected Iowa State’s ability to consistently answer Houston scoring runs. Each time the Cougars threatened to close the gap, Crooks responded with decisive finishes inside, drawing defensive attention that opened the floor for teammates. Iowa State shot with confidence in transition and punished Houston turnovers, extending the lead to double digits midway through the third quarter.

Crooks remained the focal point after halftime, continuing to score through contact and dominate the glass as Iowa State stretched the margin to 58 to 46 entering the fourth quarter. Her presence forced Houston into contested shots and limited second chance opportunities, contributing to a decisive closing stretch where the Cyclones outscored the Cougars 22 to 16.

Jada Williams played a key complementary role, consistently finding Crooks in scoring positions while also pushing tempo in transition. Addy Brown and Arianna Jackson added perimeter scoring that prevented Houston from collapsing defensively, while Iowa State’s depth helped maintain energy late.

Houston received strong efforts from Briana Peguero and Amirah Abdur Rahim, but struggled to sustain offensive rhythm as Iowa State’s defensive pressure increased. The Cougars committed costly turnovers in the fourth quarter, limiting any realistic comeback window and allowing the Cyclones to dictate the final minutes.

Crooks performance places her in rare company nationally, as five straight games of 30 or more points is a benchmark reached by only a handful of players in recent NCAA seasons. The impact extends beyond individual numbers, signaling Iowa State’s evolution into a team capable of controlling games through inside dominance while maintaining offensive balance.

What this means moving forward is significant for Iowa State’s conference outlook. With Crooks anchoring the offense and drawing consistent double teams, the Cyclones have shown they can generate efficient scoring across multiple positions. The next steps include sustaining defensive intensity and continuing to diversify scoring as conference play tightens.

For Houston, the loss highlights areas of development on the defensive end, particularly interior coverage and ball security. As the season progresses, improving efficiency against physical frontcourt opponents will be central to the Cougars outlook.

As the latest update concludes, Iowa State leaves the matchup with another statement win and a star center whose scoring streak continues to reshape the national conversation.