AMES — Jada Williams and Arianna Jackson powered Iowa State to a 65-52 win over UCF Saturday afternoon at Hilton Coliseum.
Williams finished with a game-high 23 points on 11-of-21 shooting to go along with five assists and four rebounds as the Cyclones improved to 18-5 overall and 6-5 in Big 12 play. Jackson added a career-high 18 points, knocking down six 3-pointers to help Iowa State pull away in the second half.
The Cyclones overcame an early deficit after Williams opened the scoring with a floater. Back-to-back 3-pointers from Evangelia Paulk and Jackson sparked a 13-0 run that gave Iowa State control midway through the first quarter. Despite going scoreless over the final 3:38 of the period, the Cyclones carried a 17-12 lead into the second.
Jackson continued her hot shooting early in the second quarter, draining her third 3-pointer to open the scoring. Hustle plays from Kenzie Hare and Paulk led to free throws by Reese Beaty as Iowa State stretched its lead to 23-14. Williams became the first Cyclone in double figures later in the quarter, helping Iowa State take a 31-23 advantage into halftime. UCF held Audi Crooks without a field goal in the first half for the first time since 2024.
Iowa State built its largest lead of the game early in the third quarter after Jackson hit her fourth 3-pointer to make it 36-24. Crooks scored her first basket of the game midway through the period, then Jackson closed the quarter by hitting her fifth and sixth 3-pointers on consecutive possessions, pushing the Cyclones ahead 46-35.
Williams took over in the fourth quarter, either scoring or assisting on 13 of Iowa State’s first 17 points as the lead grew to 20. Crooks finished with 10 points, extending her double-figure scoring streak to 89 games, the longest active streak in NCAA women’s basketball. UCF closed on a 9-2 run, but the outcome was never in doubt.
Jackson also grabbed five rebounds, while Paulk added nine points, tying a season high.
Iowa State returns to action Saturday, Feb. 7, when it travels to Salt Lake City to face Utah. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. and the game will stream on ESPN+.
