Iowa State Cyclones’ forward Sydney Harris (25) shoots a three-point shot over Eastern Illinois Panthers’ guard Alanna Phillipo (22) during the fourth quarter in the NCAA women’s basketball home opening at Hilton Coliseum on Monday, Des. 15, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. © Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The following is a press release from Iowa State Athletics Communications:
TUCSON, Ariz. – Iowa State (12-6, 3-2 Big 12) downed Arizona (11-6, 2-2 Big 12) by 21 points with a final score of 79-58 Saturday, ending the Arizona road trip at 2-0.
Iowa State sent in 10-plus 3-pointers for the second straight game and sixth time of the season, led by the game’s star Sydney Harris who hit five of the 10 made 3s. Harris had a game-leading and season-high 24 points at 9-of-14 shooting to go with seven rebounds.
Emily Ryan had the next-highest total scoring 15, missing just one of seven shots. Audi Crooks went out to game No. 50 in a row scoring in double figures, recording 11 and Addy Brown was the fourth in double figures with 10. Brown also had a game-high-tying eight rebounds and game-high six assists.
How it Happened
Iowa State started hot taking a lead of 9-2 into the first media timeout. After Arizona brought it back to a one possession game at 9-6 with 3:23 to go, the Cyclones hit a run of six to end the quarter up 15-6.
The second began with a Harris steal while Harris followed to hit a 3-pointer off an assist by Ryan. Soon after Arianna Jackson knocked down a 3 to make the scoreboard read 21-9 at 8:18. Harris entered double figures on her second 3-pointer, while Audi Crooks put in a layup next making it a 19-point edge with 3:22 to go. UA responded trimming its deficit down to single digits on a 15-2 run, including a buzzer-beating triple to make it 34-28, ISU, at the break.
Arizona came within four three minutes into the second half, but a triple and a layup by Ryan pushed ISU’s lead back to nine (41-32) into the media timeout. The Cyclones extended a 10-0 run on Harris’ third 3-pointer down the stretch in the third, and Brown capped the run at 12 with a layup as ISU led 48-32. A Kelsey Joens 3 and a three-point play by Crooks gave Iowa State the 54-38 lead entering the fourth.
Harris hit back-to-back 3-pointers, her fourth and fifth from deep, to cause an Arizona timeout with 6:04 to play. The Cyclone’s advantage again grew to 19 after a jumper by Ryan, and went to 20-plus following a pair of free throws by Brown. ISU kept control of the game, ending it with a Harris jumper at 79-58.
Top Performance
Sydney Harris had a season-high 24 points and season-high-tying five 3-pointers on nine attempts from deep. It was her first 20-plus point game as a Cyclone and 15th of her career. Harris also had seven rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Up Next
Iowa State returns home to host Texas Tech Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 6:30 p.m. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+.
Notes
Iowa State’s women’s basketball all-time record moves to 879-672 (.567) and 336-354 (.486) all-time in conference play.
Head coach Bill Fennelly’s Iowa State record moves to 623-319 (.661) and his career record moves to 789-372 (.680). He is 288-206 (.582) in conference games at ISU.
The Cyclones have made at least one 3-point field goal in an NCAA women’s record 945 consecutive games, finishing with 10 triples today. ISU has made 7,666 triples throughout the streak and has finished with 10 or more 3-pointers in a game 290 times.
Iowa State shot over 50 percent from the floor for the eighth time this season. ISU is now 7-1 when shooting 50 percent or better from the floor this season.
On the defensive end, the Cyclones held Arizona to just 58 points. It is the ninth time this season ISU has held its opponent under 60 points.
Sydney Harris poured in a season-high 24 points on 5-of-9 shooting from deep to lead the Cyclones. It is the first 20-plus point performance of her Iowa State career.
Emily Ryan is now tied for the NCAA Division I 16th all-time best assists total. Ryan tallied four assists today and has posted 898 in her career.
Ryan has played in 137 career games, the second most all-time by a Cyclone behind Ashley Joens’ 158 games.
Audi Crooks’ 11 points marked her 50th straight game of her career scoring in double figures.
