AMES – The week began with Iowa State women's basketball in desperate need of a win as their season hung in the balance in the midst of the program's longest losing streak in 10 seasons.
It ended with the Cyclones getting back on track.
The 24th-ranked Cyclones dominated Arizona from start to finish and capped off a much-needed winning week a 90-65 victory on Jan. 24. Iowa State improved to 16-5 on the season and 4-5 in Big 12 play.
It was the second-straight win for the Cyclones after ending a five-game losing streak earlier in the week with a victory over Cincinnati. Saturday's win was just as rewarding but even more impressive as the Cyclones left no doubt in the lopsided showdown.
Arizona transfer Jada Williams scored 19 points while Audi Crooks added 17. The two were instrumental in a huge first half. Crooks had a layup in a 7-0 run that put the Cyclones up 20-10 in the first quarter. Williams had four points in a 9-0 run that gave the Cyclones a 19-point lead in the second quarter.
Evangelia Paulk, making her first start of the season, connected on a 3-pointer that gave Iowa State a 53-29 lead at halftime.
Here are five key numbers from Saturday's win:
7-Different Iowa State starting lineups
Iowa State tinkered with its starting lineup again, giving Paulk, a transfer from Wofford, her first start of the season.
The Cyclones, at one point, had a solidified starting five with Williams, Crooks, Arianna Jackson, Kenzie Hare and Addy Brown. But injuries to Jackson and Brown have forced the Cyclones to use other options. The recent woes have also led to some experimenting. Paulk, who has played well recently, was rewarded with the start and made the most of it, scoring seven points and grabbing five rebounds.
63-Combined points for Jada Williams the last two games
Iowa State's point guard had a terrific week. Three days after pouring in 44 points during a win over Cincinnati, Williams had another huge game. She tallied 19 points on 8-for-11 shooting while also grabbing four rebounds and handing out seven assists. There was even some doubt over whether Williams would even play Saturday after being listed as a game-time decision due to an illness. It didn't stop her from having a big game against her old team.
53 - Points in the first half for the Cyclones
The first half couldn't have gone much better for the Cyclones as they exploded for 53 points on 71% (20-of-28) shooting from the field. Williams and Crooks did the bulk of the damage, combining to connect on 12-of-14 shots for 27 total points. They had plenty of help, though, with seven other players tallying points.
5-Players that fouled out of the game for Arizona
Arizona is known for its physical style of play, and it showed up Saturday with five Wildcats fouling out. The Wildcats, who had a player injured late in the game, were so shorthanded because of the injury and the foul troubles that they finished the game with just four players on the floor.
296 – Big 12 victories for Bill Fennelly
Saturday’s victory was the 296th Big 12 victory for coach Bill Fennelly. That matches former Baylor coach Kim Mulkey for the most in league history. Fennelly, who has been coaching at Iowa State since 1995, has a shot to move past Mulkey when the Cyclones play at Texas Tech on Jan. 28. Mulkey now coaches at LSU.
Tommy Birch, the Register's sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He's the 2018, 2020, 2023 and 2025 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 5 key stats from Iowa State women's basketball’s win vs Arizona
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