No. 11 Iowa State Faces Cincinnati Seeking to Rebound from First Loss of the Season
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Iowa State (14-1, 2-1 Big 12) travels to Cincinnati (5-10, 0-3 Big 12) on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, for a 5:30 p.m. CT matchup at Fifth Third Arena. The Cyclones are looking to bounce back from a narrow defeat to Baylor, their first loss of the season, while the Bearcats aim to secure their first conference win. Fans can watch the game on ESPN+ (Anthony Mazzini, play-by-play; AB Stocks, analyst; Chase Younts, reporter) or listen on the Cyclone Radio Network (Noah Wolf, play-by-play; Jamie Steyer Johnson, analyst).
Dominant History Fuels Cyclones’ Confidence
Iowa State enters Wednesday’s contest with a commanding 4-0 all-time record against Cincinnati. Last season, the Cyclones secured a decisive 72-52 victory over the Bearcats in Cincinnati. Historically, Iowa State has consistently outperformed Cincinnati, winning their last four matchups by an average of 25.8 points. Even their closest victory in the series was a 16-point win on Senior Day in Ames on March 2, 2024. This established dominance provides a significant psychological advantage as the Cyclones navigate a challenging road game.
Recent Setback Doesn’t Diminish Iowa State’s Potential
Despite their impressive start, No. 10 Iowa State suffered a 72-70 loss to No. 22 Baylor on Sunday, ending a 16-game winning streak at Hilton Coliseum. Jada Williams led the Cyclones with a career-high 28 points, fueled by six 3-pointers, while Audi Crooks contributed 22 points in the first half. However, Baylor effectively neutralized Crooks in the second half with a double-team, limiting her to just four points. Williams valiantly attempted to rally the team, scoring 12 consecutive points to tie the game with 27.5 seconds remaining, but a late jumper by Baylor’s Taliah Scott sealed the Cyclones’ fate.
The “Big 3” Driving Iowa State’s Success
The strength of Iowa State lies in its core trio of Addy Brown, Audi Crooks, and Jada Williams. These three players collectively rank in the top three of the Big 12 in an impressive 13 statistical categories, leading the conference in seven areas according to NCAA Stats. Crooks, in particular, continues to defy expectations, having scored in double figures in a remarkable 81 consecutive games – the longest active streak in NCAA women’s basketball and the longest streak by a Big 12 player since Brittney Griner’s 116-game run from 2010-2013.
Key Players Garner National Recognition
Iowa State’s talent has not gone unnoticed. Brown and Crooks were both selected to the All-Big 12 Preseason Team and are on the watch lists for prestigious awards including the Naismith Trophy, the USBWA Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, and the Wooden Award. Williams has also earned recognition, appearing on the watch lists for the Nancy Lieberman Award, the Katrina McClain Award (Brown), and the Lisa Leslie Award (Crooks). This preseason attention underscores the high expectations surrounding the Cyclones this season.
Williams’ Impact Following a Guard Transition
Following the graduation of long-time starting point guard Emily Ryan, Iowa State brought in Arizona transfer Jada Williams to lead the offense. Williams has seamlessly integrated into the team, averaging 12.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 7.9 assists through 15 games. Her assist rate has increased significantly, and she has already surpassed her total from the 2024-25 season by over 30 assists. Williams’ performance against Baylor, where she recorded a career-high 28 points and six 3-pointers, highlights her growing impact on the team.
Free Throw Prowess a Hallmark of Iowa State’s Game
Iowa State has consistently prioritized free throw shooting, and the results are evident. The Cyclones have improved their free throw percentage from 72.5% in 2023-24 to 77.2% through 15 games in the 2025-26 season, currently ranking 27th nationally and leading the Big 12. Audi Crooks has been instrumental in this improvement, increasing her own free throw percentage from 65.5% to 70% over the same period. Iowa State currently ranks 21st nationally in free throws made per game (16.0), demonstrating their efficiency at the charity stripe.
