Iowa State Women Secure Gritty Win Over Iowa Hawkeyes

The Iowa State women’s basketball team, riding a perfect 10-0 record into tonight, knocked off the Iowa Hawkeyes 74-69 to stay unbeaten and send the home crowd home smiling.  What made this victory so meaningful was how it unfolded: Iowa kept chipping away until the final minutes, nearly completing a thrilling comeback before Iowa State held on.

Iowa State’s Audi Cooks Powers Cyclones Through Pressure

The backbone of the Cyclones’ win was star Forward Audi Crooks. She continues to lead the nation in scoring, and tonight she showed exactly why. Her presence inside and her ability to score under pressure kept Iowa State just ahead when the Hawkeyes threatened to take over. That scoring punch, backed up by a deep roster, remains the Cyclones’ most dangerous asset.

Iowa’s Grit and Guts Almost Steal It

But give the Hawkeyes credit: they didn’t just roll over. Down by 17 points late in the third quarter, Iowa launched a 26-12 run that brought them within three with time winding down. The resilience showed heart, battle, and the kind of fight that can define a season. Led by Guard Chazadi Wright (21 points) and a gritty supporting cast, including Taylor McCabe, Kylie Feuerbach, and Hannah Stuelke, Iowa refused to go quietly. Even though they came up just short, the way they clawed back suggested this team is dangerous when the chips are down.

Missed Chances, Foul Trouble, and a Big Rivalry Night

The difference came down to small margins. Iowa was hampered by foul trouble; one contributor, Ava Heiden, fouled out with a few minutes left, and that undercut their momentum during the game’s most critical stretch. On the other side, Iowa State avoided those mistakes and capitalized when it counted. The intensity of this rivalry, the stakes, the noise, and the emotion felt larger than any regular-season contest.

What This Means For Iowa State Women’s Basketball

This win isn’t just another notch in the win column. For Iowa State, it is a statement: they’re among the elite this season. Staying undefeated through a game like this shows resolve, composure, and depth. These are all key ingredients for a deep run if they keep this up. At the same time, Iowa showed heart. If the Hawkeyes keep playing with this kind of fight, they’re going to make things very interesting for a long time to come.