AMES, Iowa – Iowa State (7-4, 0-0 Big 12) took the win over in-state foe UNI (1-8, 0-0 MVC) by a final of 87-70. ISU had six in double figures for the second time this season, also bringing in the second-straight game with at least five totaling 10-plus.
UNI held the lead until Iowa State came back to tie it in the final moments of the first quarter, while ISU followed to take the lead in the second and build on it. ISU had the second-straight game making at least 10 3-pointers and fourth of the season.
Kelsey Joens and Audi Crooks each led with 16 points while Addy Brown (11), Isnelle Natabou (11), Emily Ryan (11) and Hannah Belanger (10) totaled the six double-figure scorers. Crooks put up her 10th-straight 10-plus point game, totaling her 16 on 6-of-8 shooting.
Brown had her fifth-straight double-double and sixth of the season with 12 rebounds and 11 points to go along with seven assists. Natabou had her first double-double at Iowa State, turning in 11 points at 80 percent shooting and 10 rebounds. Natabou recorded her 700th career rebound, while bringing her career point total to 1,036 and rebound total to 703. Natabou became the 49th active NCAA D1 player with 1,000 career points and 700 rebounds.
How it Happened
Back-to-back Panther 3-pointers gave the visitors the early lead and would go on to stretch it to eight (10-2). Belanger brought the Cyclones back within three with a triple at the 5:18 mark, while Crooks followed with a jumper to make it 10-9. UNI would remain ahead in the final minute of the quarter, but Ryan brought the game to a tie after a steal, following to convert the layup with under 30 seconds in the first. The score of 16-16 would hold heading into the second.
The Cyclones would take their first lead at 18-16 after two free throws made by Crooks. Ryan kept the lead with ISU at 23-20 as she shot a 3-pointer and stole the ball back, going back down the court to make the layup. Back-and-forth action continued, with Diew netting the next shot from deep as Iowa State led 26-23. Joens extended the run, fighting for the offensive rebound off a free throw and put the ball in to go up six (29-23) as UNI called a timeout. With three minutes left in the half, Joens stole the ball and proceeded to shoot the 3, making it an eight-point lead. At the end of two, ISU held the advantage at 42-34.
The Cyclones kept it rolling with another Belanger 3-pointer, making it 45-36 as the second half got underway. Natabou would be the first to enter double figures with 5:50 on the clock as the Cyclones found 50 points. At 2:23, Joens ignited the crowd with a 3-pointer to remain with a perfect shooting percentage with four made. Arianna Jackson then made it a 15-point game with a triple, keeping the run going as ISU went ahead 61-46. With three quarters complete, Iowa State led 65-48.
Crooks made back-to-back layups to begin the fourth. Joens would follow to make her third 3-pointer on as many attempts to make it a 76-54 Cyclone lead. Belanger became the sixth in double figures with a triple, while Crooks put the final points on the board for the Cyclones with another 3, sealing the 17-point victory.
