### Iowa State Cyclones' Audi Crooks Shines in Season Opener with Dominant Performance - Audi Crooks, a standout player for the Iowa State Cyclones, kicked off the 2025-2026 women's basketball season with an impressive performance, scoring **29 points** and securing **14 rebounds** in a decisive victory against Southern, with a final score of **85-58**. This game marked Crooks' **19th career double-double**, showcasing her continued excellence on the court as the Cyclones improved to **2-0** for the season [https://www.themirror.com/sport/basketball/audi-crooks-iowa-state-cyclones-1488906][https://www.newsday.com/sports/college/college-basketball/southern-iowa-state-score-d32432]. ### Breakdown of the Game and Player Contributions 1. **Game Overview** - Iowa State, ranked **No. 14**, faced off against Southern, who is still seeking their first win of the season. - The Cyclones demonstrated their strength early, establishing a significant lead that they maintained throughout the game [https://cyclones.com/news/2025/11/6/womens-basketball-crooks-leads-isu-to-win-vs-southern-85-58]. 2. **Key Player Performances** - **Audi Crooks**: - Scored **29 points** and grabbed **14 rebounds**. - Achieved her **19th career double-double**, reinforcing her status as a key player for the team [https://www.newsday.com/sports/college/college-basketball/southern-iowa-state-score-d32432]. - **Jada Williams**: - Contributed **17 points** and **5 assists**, supporting Crooks in the offensive effort [https://www.themirror.com/sport/basketball/audi-crooks-iowa-state-cyclones-1488906]. 3. **Coaching Strategy** - Coach **Bill Fennelly** monitored Crooks' minutes closely, indicating a strategy to manage her playing time effectively as the season progresses [https://bluewaterhealthyliving.com/news/national-news/iowa/everything-we-learned-from-iowa-state-womens-basketballs-win-over-southern]. ### Statistical Highlights and Performance Metrics - **Final Score**: Iowa State 85, Southern 58 - **Iowa State's Record**: 2-0 - **Crooks' Performance**: - Points: **29** - Rebounds: **14** - Career Double-Doubles: **19** - **Additional Contributions**: - Jada Williams: **17 points**, **5 assists** [https://cyclones.com/news/2025/11/6/womens-basketball-crooks-leads-isu-to-win-vs-southern-85-58]. ### Conclusion: A Promising Start for Iowa State Women's Basketball 1. **Strong Opening**: The Cyclones have started the season with two consecutive wins, showcasing their potential as a competitive team in the NCAA. 2. **Key Player Impact**: Audi Crooks' performance is a significant factor in Iowa State's success, and her ability to dominate games will be crucial as the season unfolds. 3. **Coaching Approach**: The strategic management of player minutes, particularly for Crooks, suggests a long-term vision for maintaining player health and performance throughout the season. In summary, Iowa State's women's basketball team, led by Audi Crooks, is off to a strong start, with promising performances that could set the tone for the rest of the season [https://www.newsday.com/sports/college/college-basketball/southern-iowa-state-score-d32432][https://apnews.com/article/iowa-state-cyclones-college-sports-womens-college-basketball-college-basketball-d2dc71645b554b42a292371c781376c3].