Audi Crooks Ties Brittney Griner’s Big 12 Record With 41-point game

Audi Crooks just put her name next to one of the most recognizable in college basketball history and she did it in 30 minutes. The Iowa State junior center dropped 41 points and grabbed 13 rebounds on March 1, 2026, leading the Cyclones to a convincing 93–79 road win over Kansas State at Bramlage Coliseum.

The performance was her fifth career 40-point game, tying Brittney Griner for the most such games in Big 12 women’s basketball history. For a player who has quietly become one of the most dominant post scorers in the country, this was the kind of statement game that shifts national conversations.

A Historic Night in Manhattan, Kansas

The numbers alone tell a compelling story with 41 points, 13 rebounds, and in 30 minutes of court time. Crooks was efficient, physical, and relentless—mixing post moves with offensive boards and free-throw attempts to keep Kansas State’s defense constantly scrambling.

She didn’t need a full game’s worth of minutes to make her mark. That’s what makes this performance stand out. Iowa State built and sustained leads while Crooks imposed her will inside, and the coaching staff managed her minutes with one eye already on the postseason. That kind of production in a condensed stint speaks to just how difficult she is to contain when she’s locked in.

Jada Williams contributed 23 points to support the effort, giving Iowa State a two-pronged attack that Kansas State had no real answer for.

What Tying Griner Actually Means

Brittney Griner is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, a former No. 1 WNBA draft pick, and one of the most decorated players in women’s college basketball history. Tying her conference record for 40-point games is not a footnote – it’s a landmark.

Crooks’s 41-point night wasn’t a fluke or an outlier. It was the fifth time in her college career she reached that threshold, continuing a pattern of high-output performances that has defined her junior season. She has repeatedly carried Iowa State through scoring droughts, absorbed heavy defensive attention, and delivered when the team needed her most.

After the game, Crooks called it possibly her best performance of the year. Her teammates and coaches echoed that sentiment, pointing to her focus and efficiency as much as the raw numbers.

What It Means for Iowa State

The win closed the regular season on a high note. Iowa State finished 22–8 overall and 10–8 in Big 12 play, earning a first-round bye in the Big 12 Tournament. That bye matters and it means rest, preparation time, and a better matchup draw.

Beyond tournament positioning, the victory adds weight to Iowa State’s NCAA Tournament narrative. Selection committees pay attention to how teams close the regular season, and a dominant road win with a record-tying individual performance is exactly the kind of finish that keeps a program in the conversation for favorable seeding.

The Defensive Challenge Ahead

Opposing coaches will spend the next few days building game plans specifically around limiting Crooks’s touches. Expect more double-teams, fronting in the post, and aggressive help-side rotations designed to force Iowa State’s perimeter players into decision-making roles.

That’s where Jada Williams becomes a crucial variable. If defenses collapse on Crooks and Williams converts open looks consistently, the Cyclones become extremely difficult to guard. The chess match between Iowa State’s offense and tournament opponents’ defensive adjustments will be one of the more interesting storylines to follow in March.

What to Watch Going Forward

Big 12 Tournament: Crooks enters with momentum and managed minutes. Her health and workload will be the central factor in how deep Iowa State can run.

NCAA Tournament positioning: Individual milestones help shape a program’s national story, but the committee will weigh those performances against the strength of schedule and team results. The Cyclones need to keep winning.

Awards and draft watch: A strong March could push Crooks into finalist conversations for national player-of-the-year awards and raise her stock for WNBA draft consideration. Consistent 40-point games at the collegiate level signal the kind of offensive versatility that translates to the next level.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many 40-point games does Audi Crooks have in her career?
Five. Her performance against Kansas State was her fifth career 40-point game, tying Brittney Griner’s Big 12 record.

What was Iowa State’s record after the game?
The Cyclones improved to 22–8 overall and 10–8 in Big 12 play, securing a first-round bye in the conference tournament.

How long did Crooks play in the game?
She played just 30 minutes, making her 41-point, 13-rebound performance even more remarkable.

The Stage Is Set

Audi Crooks has done everything asked of her this season and then some. Tying a Big 12 record held by Brittney Griner signals that she is playing at a level few college players can match right now. The real test comes in the tournament. Top competition, scouting adjustments, and high-pressure environments will determine whether Crooks can carry Iowa State deep into March.