AMES – The Iowa State women’s basketball team was without its superstar center for the first time this season.
But it didn’t slow down the Cyclones as they continued to roll through the end of their non-conference schedule.
The 10th-ranked Cyclones capped off their non-con season by beating Northern Iowa 81-53 at Hilton Coliseum on Sunday.
Iowa State did it without star junior Audi Crooks, who missed the game with an injury she suffered during the team’s win over 12th-ranked Iowa earlier in the week.
Crooks began the day leading the nation in scoring, averaging 27.8 points per game. She’s expected to finish return-to-play protocol early this week.
Iowa State was also without Evangelia Paulk, who is dealing with a mild soft tissue injury. Paulk averages 1.6 points and 3.5 rebounds in 11 games this season.
The Cyclones didn’t miss a beat, improving to 12-0 on the season. It’s the best start for the team since the 2013-14 season when the Cyclones began 14-0.
Northern Iowa fell to 4-6 on the year.
Without Crooks, Iowa State junior Addy Brown carried the Cyclones. Brown finished with a double-double, scoring 28 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
Now Iowa State gets ready for the start of Big 12 Conference play. The Cyclones open league competition by facing Kansas on Dec. 21 at Hilton Coliseum at noon.
Here’s the game unfolded:
New story: Addy Brown ended UNI’s hopes early
Find out why Brown was motivated to step up in Audi Crooks’ absence on Sunday.
Postgame: Audi Crooks injury update
Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly provided some updates for his injured players during postgame comments Sunday.
Final: Iowa State 81, Northern Iowa 53
The Cyclones, even without star Audi Crooks, cruise to another win. They close out non-conference play with a 12-0 mark. It’s the best start to the season since the 2013-14 campaign when the Cyclones rattled off 14-straight victories to begin the year.
Addy Brown was huge for Iowa State. She finished with 28 points, 12 rebounds and three assists in just 29 minutes.
Addy Brown’s day may be done | Iowa State 71, Northern Iowa 40, 5:50 4Q
It looks like Addy Brown’s day is done. She checks out of the game to a big ovation as Cyclones coach Bill Fennelly starts emptying his bench. She’s got 28 points, 12 rebounds and 3 assists in just 29 minutes.
Iowa State rolling past Northern Iowa | Iowa State 67, Northern Iowa 38, end of 4Q
The Cyclones are in completely control of the game. Addy Brown continues her dominating performance. She’s got 24 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists. Perhaps the bigger story may be Alisa Williams who is filling in for the injured Audi Crooks. Williams has been great, scoring 11 points, grabbing five rebounds and handing out three assists.
Also, Lilly Taulelei, who briefly left the game in the third quarter, is back on the floor to start the fourth.
Lilly Taulelei heads back to the locker room with an apparent injury | Iowa State 60, Northern Iowa 33, 3:52, 3Q
Taulelei went down on the court and was holding her neck as she walked back to the bench. She immediately went back to the locker room with a team athletic trainer. Taulelei has provided a big boost off the bench for Iowa State today, scoring four points in seven minutes.
Arianna Jackson having a happy birthday | Iowa State 60, Northern Iowa 30, 6:40 3Q
Moments after the Iowa State students serenaded Arianna Jackson with “happy birthday,” the Cyclones junior knocked down a 3-pointer to extend her team’s lead. Jackson having a big game on her big day. She’s got 6 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists. Iowa State is absolutely rolling right now.
Halftime stat leaders
For Iowa State:
Addy Brown: 21 points (8-of-13 shooting from the field including 4-for-5 from 3-point range, 8 rebounds, 3 assists.
Alisa Williams: 9 points, 4 rebounds.
Kenzie Hare: 6 points, 2 rebounds.
For Northern Iowa:
Ryley Goebel: 8 points, 2 rebounds.
Bri Robinson: 6 points, 2 rebounds.
Addy Brown hits a 3-pointer to send Iowa State into halftime | Iowa State 48, Northern Iowa 26, halftime
Brown hits a 3 right before the buzzer and throws her hands into the air as Iowa State heads into halftime with a huge lead. The Cyclones close out the quarter with an 11-0 run. Brown was a big reason why. She’s got 21 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Brown had six points during that run.
Northern Iowa, which started the game hot, struggled to the finish line. The Panthers missed their last six shots and went the final 3:49 without scoring.
Alisa Williams having a big day filling in for Audi Crooks | Iowa State 37, Northern Iowa 24, 3:49 2Q
Williams got the start with Audi Crooks out today and she’s done a great job. She’s got seven points on 3-for-3 shooting from the field. The Cyclones have hit their last five shots from the field and are starting to separate themselves from the Panthers.
Iowa State starting to pull away | Iowa State 33, Northern Iowa 20, 5:04 2Q
The Cyclones have started to open the game up with an 11-0 run to take a commanding 13-point lead in the second quarter. Northern Iowa has gone nearly four minutes without a made basket. Addy Brown approaching a double-double before halftime with 15 points and eight rebounds.
End of 1Q | Iowa State 20, Northern Iowa 15
After that nice start from Northern Iowa, the Cyclones had a couple of nice spurts. They went on a 7-0 run to take a 14-10 lead. Addy Brown is carrying the Cyclones who are without Audi Crooks today. Brown has 13 points, five rebounds and one assist. The Cyclones have also gotten some big minutes off the bench from post player Lilly Taulelei. She’s got four points on 2-of-3 shooting from the field.
Northern Iowa coach Tanya Warren takes a super early timeout | Iowa State 6, Northern Iowa 6, 7:51 1Q
Iowa State’s Addy Brown knocks down a 3-pointer to tie the game 6-6 early on. Tanya Warren takes her first timeout even after a nice start by the Panthers who are 3-for-3 from the field early on.
4:57 p.m.: Sydney Harris honored before today’s game.
Iowa State guard Sydney Harris being honored before today’s game for reaching the 1,000-point plateau during the Iowa game earlier this week.
Pregame starting lineups
For Iowa State:
*Arianna Jackson
*Jada Williams
*Kenzie Hare
*Alisa Williams
*Addy Brown
For Northern Iowa:
*Jenna Twedt
*Taryn Wharton
*Bri Robinson
*Ryley Goebel
*Elise Jaeger
4 p.m.: Iowa State without Audi Crooks and Evangelia Paulk today
Iowa State will be without superstar Audi Crooks today. Crooks is out with an injury sustained during the team’s win over Iowa on Wednesday night. She’s expected to finish return-to-play protocol early this week.
Also out is Evangelia Paulk. Paulk, a key contributor off the bench this season. She is dealing with a mild soft tissue injury.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa State women’s basketball vs UNI score, recap, Cyclones win 81-53
Reporting by Tommy Birch, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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