Audi Crooks powers Iowa State past Texas Tech as Bill Fennelly sets Big 12 wins record

Audi Crooks delivered a dominant all around performance as Iowa State secured a statement road win, defeating No. 21 Texas Tech 84 to 70 on Wednesday night in Lubbock in a breaking update that reshaped the Big 12 women’s basketball race.

Behind 33 points and 12 rebounds from Crooks and a composed floor general performance from Jada Williams, Iowa State controlled the game from the opening possession and never relinquished the lead. The victory also marked a historic milestone for Cyclones head coach Bill Fennelly, who became the winningest coach in Big 12 Conference history with his 297th league victory, surpassing a mark that had stood since the conference’s inception.

Iowa State set the tone immediately, scoring the first 6 points and applying early pressure inside. A Reagan Wilson 3 pointer pushed the lead to 33 to 20 early in the second quarter, but Texas Tech responded with a defensive surge as Iowa State cooled offensively, making only 1 of its final 7 shots before halftime. The Red Raiders closed the gap to 40 to 38 at the break, signaling momentum entering the latest phase of the timeline.

That momentum was halted in the third quarter by Sydney Harris, whose impact defined the turning point of the game. Harris scored the final 5 points of the quarter, including a timely wing 3 pointer with 48 seconds remaining to stop a 9 to 2 Texas Tech run. Moments later, she rebounded her own miss and converted at the buzzer, giving Iowa State a 65 to 55 cushion and restoring control.

Crooks opened the fourth quarter by scoring the first 4 points to surpass 30 on the night, then anchored a decisive 10 to 0 run that extended the lead to 79 to 58. Iowa State’s interior efficiency and rebounding advantage proved overwhelming, highlighting the impact Crooks continues to have on both ends of the floor.

Crooks finished 13 of 19 from the field and a perfect 7 of 7 at the free throw line, adding historical context to her night by becoming the fourth player in Iowa State program history to reach 2,000 career points. She scored 20 points in the first half alone, including 14 in the opening quarter, reinforcing her status as one of the most efficient post scorers in the country. Williams contributed 15 points and 9 assists, while Harris added 13 points and 12 rebounds, recording a double double that underscored Iowa State’s balanced production.

Texas Tech was led by Sidney Love with 17 points, while Bailey Maupin and Snudda Collins each added 16. Despite entering the game with a strong 20 and 3 record, the Red Raiders struggled to contain Iowa State’s inside presence and were outpaced during critical stretches, a factor that could impact conference positioning moving forward.

The impact of this result extends beyond the box score. Iowa State improves to 17 and 5 overall and 5 and 5 in Big 12 play, positioning the Cyclones for upward movement in league standings and postseason projections. Texas Tech falls to 20 and 3 overall and 7 and 3 in conference play, with limited margin for error as the schedule intensifies.

What this means heading into the next steps is clear. Iowa State returns home to face UCF on Saturday with momentum and renewed confidence, while Texas Tech hosts No. 12 TCU on Sunday in a matchup that will test its response and resilience.

As the Big 12 race tightens, this latest update reinforces Iowa State’s ability to execute on the road and signals that Crooks and the Cyclones remain a decisive factor in the conference outlook.