Iowa State Cyclones’ center Audi Crooks (55) and forward Addy Brown (24) celebrate after a basket during the second quarter in the NCAA women’s basketball home-opening win at Hilton Coliseum on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. © Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
AMES — Iowa State star Audi Crooks scored within 10 seconds.
Her sharpshooting Cyclone teammates drained their first four 3-point attempts.
And so it went in No. 8 ISU’s season opener — a 96-56 drubbing of Chicago State — on Monday before a crowd of 9,983 at Hilton Coliseum.
“I thought the first quarter we were locked in and the things we asked them to do, they did it,” longtime Cyclones head coach Bill Fennelly said. “When you’re getting stops and you’re getting transition — and then in the half court, Addy (Brown) and Audi kind of took over the game. So, great start to the game and excited that we had that ability because she, times that’s not been our strength.”
ISU raced to a staggering 29-0 lead before the Cougars banked in a 3-pointer to beat the first quarter’s buzzer. Crooks scored 16 points in 18 minutes and Brown complied a line of 20 points, nine rebounds and five assists in less than 23 minutes. 10 of the 11 Cyclones who played scored, grabbed a rebound, or dished out at least one assist.
“It was super loud in there,” Brown said. “Lots of energy. So it was a fun day.”
Thousands of elementary school-aged children shrieked with delight as ISU bolted to a 52-point lead late in the third quarter before digging deep into its rotation in the final several minutes. Brown’s efficiency certainly pleased both the young and old in the crowd — and the 6-2 sophomore forward from Derby, Kan., also blocked three shots to match a single-game career high.
“She is as skilled, as talented, as any player at her position in the country,” Fennelly said. “And when her motor’s going — I mean, she can post up, she can shoot the 3. She’s a great passer. At times, she’s an engaged (and) motived defender, and once she does that, she’s pretty good. She walks that very fine line between confidence and cocky in a good way.”
Four different Cyclones scored in double figures, including true freshman shooting guard Aili Tanke, who drilled three of her four 3-point attempts and finished with 12 points in her first career start.
“I thought she was fantastic tonight, this morning, whatever time it is,” Fennelly said. “We’ve given every kid a lot of opportunities, and she has been the best, the most consistent, in that spot. She just knows what she can do, and I think she’s really comfortable playing with the other four (starters) that have a little experience. I think they all showed some good moments, but you’ve got to give her credit: when you’re a freshman and you start in this environment, you never know how it’s gonna go.”
Tanke almost didn’t believe it when Fennelly told her she’s be starting.
“It kind of felt like a dream,” the former Johnston standout said. “I was walking up the ramp and he was getting in his car, and he was like, ‘Tanke, are you ready for the game tomorrow?’ I was like, ‘Yeah,’ and he’s like, ‘Well, good, because you’re starting.’ My mouth just dropped. I don’t even think I said anything.”
The Cyclones (1-0) next game will be Thursday at 6:30 p.m. against Indiana State in Hilton. Fennelly said Mass transfer forward Lilly Taulelei could be available after missing some time with an injury, but if she can’t play, she’s still close to returning.
“That (will) be nice to have another body in the post,” he said.
