Iowa State Cyclones’ center Audi Crooks (55) shoots the ball around Texas Tech Lady Raiders forward/center Sarengbe Sanogo (11) during the fourth quarter in the Big-12 women’s basketball showdown at Hilton Coliseum on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Ames, Iowa. © Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Iowa State’s streak of consecutive games with a 3-pointer came to an end Tuesday, while the Cyclones went 0-7 from long range in a 71-58 win over Texas Tech.
The streak spanned 945 games, and would have turned 30 years old in February… but no one seemed to care.
“I really don’t care,” Bill Fennelly said. “I know that’s big deal for a lot of people. I don’t really care. If you told me the choice is, ‘figure out a way to shoot a three’ or ‘throw it to 55 or 24,’ the ball is going to 55 (Audi Crooks) and 24 (Addy Brown).”
The game plan simply didn’t call for shots from long range.
Texas Tech had left the paint open all night for the Cyclones, and Iowa State took advantage.
Audi Crooks had another solid scoring night, finishing with 28 points, and missed a three late that would have extended the streak, although she didn’t know that was it was on the line.
“I did not realize – I thought they were just wanting me to shoot a three ball, because I never do it,” Crooks said with a laugh, recalling fans near the floor telling her that they needed a 3-pointer.
Instead, Iowa State was focused on securing its third-straight win in Big 12 Conference play, improving to 4-2 through six games.
“I mean, sorry, but also not,” Crooks said. “The streak is cool, but at the same time, we’re able to win basketball games by scoring only in the paint and from the free throw line. 21 points from the free throw line – are you kidding me? Like, that’s crazy. But I also do understand the tradition and the value in that streak, so we do apologize, but, the paint was working tonight.”
Forward Addy Brown, who had her best game in recent memory with 21 points on 8-11 shooting, also weighed in on the streak.
“I mean, it’s cool,” Brown said. “History is history. I mean, we’re historically known for shooting the three and so, I was a little upset when I heard about it. I like to keep the streak going. But again, we took what they gave us, and that wasn’t three point shots tonight. So it’s just kind of how it goes. And yeah, we go from there.”
Iowa State will look to start a new streak Saturday as it travels to Morgantown to face No. 20 West Virginia.
And if things fall the right way, it will be able to match its streak some time around 2055.
“I get it’s a big deal to some people, and it’s a big deal to us too,” Fennelly said. “I’m proud of that the streak was there, but it’s just like a kid getting a triple double. I’m not leaving him in the game to get stats. I don’t believe in that. That’s just me.”
