No. 19 Iowa State Falls at Colorado, 68-62

BOULDER, Colo. — No. 19 Iowa State saw a tightly contested Big 12 road game slip away Wednesday night, falling 68-62 at Colorado inside the CU Events Center.

The Cyclones (14-4, 2-4 Big 12) battled the Buffaloes through three quarters in a back-and-forth affair, but a late fourth-quarter surge by the home team proved to be the difference. Colorado (12-6, 3-3 Big 12) used a pair of late three-pointers to create separation and close out the win.

Audi Crooks led Iowa State with her eighth double-double of the season, finishing with 17 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. Crooks scored in double figures for the 84th consecutive game, the longest active streak in NCAA women’s basketball. Sydney Harris added a season-high 16 points, including four three-pointers, while Jada Williams chipped in timely perimeter scoring.

Colorado opened the game with an early four-point edge before Williams sparked an Iowa State response with a three-pointer. Buckets from Crooks and Harris capped an 8-0 run that put the Cyclones in front. The pace slowed midway through the first quarter, but Harris connected on a late triple before Colorado answered with a buzzer-beating three to take a 16-13 lead after one.

Iowa State continued to lean on its perimeter shooting in the second quarter. Kenzie Hare knocked down the Cyclones’ fifth three to open the frame, and Harris followed with her third triple to help stretch the lead to six. A Reese Beaty three pushed Iowa State’s run to nine points and forced a Colorado timeout, but the Buffaloes closed the half strong, trimming the Cyclone lead to 29-25 at the break.

The game remained tight in the third quarter as Colorado quickly tied the score before Harris buried her fourth three of the night. Multiple lead changes followed, including baskets from Williams and Beaty, but Colorado ended the quarter with a bucket to deadlock the game at 42-42 heading into the final period.

Colorado seized momentum early in the fourth with a 6-0 run, prompting an Iowa State timeout. Hare answered immediately with the Cyclones’ 10th three-pointer, and Aili Tanke later drilled a clutch triple to knot the score at 50. However, the Buffaloes found their rhythm from deep late, using back-to-back three-pointers to take their largest lead of the night at 60-53 with 1:30 remaining.

Crooks briefly halted the run with a layup, but Colorado responded with yet another three and held on down the stretch to secure the 68-62 victory.

Iowa State will look to bounce back on Sunday, Jan. 18, when the Cyclones travel to Oklahoma State. Tipoff is set for noon and the game will air on FOX.