Audi Crooks is planting the flag of Iowa in the NCAA Division I league once again with her scoring skills, a few years after the WNBA sensation from Iowa, Caitlin Clark, ruled collegiate basketball.

On January 22, Crooks led her team to a 93-68 victory over Cincinnati at Hilton Coliseum, scoring 24 points. In the process, the 21-year-old also created a prestigious record that placed her in the league of Clark.

An X update from ESPN Insights showed that the Iowa State center has now scored in double digits in 86 consecutive games. The only player in NCAA D-I history with a better record in this regard is Clark, whose run stretched to 129 games.

Currently, Crooks' record is the longest in Division I women’s basketball among active players.

Over 20 games so far, Crooks has become the anchor for the Cyclones. The Algona native finished the night against the Bearcats with 24 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks in 32 minutes as Iowa State, now 15-5, rolled to a 93–68 victory.

With this game, she also recorded her 15th 20+ point performance. However, Iowa State's victory was the result of a team effort.

Audi Crooks Received Ample Support From Her Team

Besides Crooks, the Cyclones had two guards, Arianna Jackson and Jada Williams, scoring in double figures. While Jackson added 11 to the team's total, Williams played an irreplaceable part, scoring 44 points. Her steal layup surged Iowa to 21–12 after one quarter.

Though Cincinnati jumped to a quick 6–2 lead, Iowa State responded with an 8–0 sparked by Kenzie Hare. After that, the Bearcats never managed to even out the score, giving Iowa State the second-highest single-game total this season.

Iowa State will play Arizona next, on Saturday, January 24, on their home turf. Do you think Crooks and Co. will be able to put up another dominant performance like their last match?

Written by

Fatema Kapasi

Edited by

Souvik Roy