Iowa State dominates with Audi Crooks' standout performance

In the United States, on December 2, 2024, the No. 15 Iowa State Cyclones prepared to face the South Carolina Upstate Spartans at Ames, Iowa. This matchup came on the heels of a solid victory where Audi Crooks led her team to a 75-59 win over the Middle Tennessee Raiders. In that game, Crooks shone with an impressive performance, scoring 21 points and contributing significantly to her team's overall success. This victory marked another step in Iowa State's successful season as they maintained an excellent home record of 5-0. The Iowa State Cyclones have been averaging 73.8 points per game, ranking eighth in the Big 12 Conference, while showcasing a shooting percentage of 44.2% from the field. Their offensive strategies have clearly been effective, aided by Crooks, who is averaging 20.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game this season. This scoring prowess, particularly highlighted by the recent game, demonstrates the Cyclones' strong cohesion and growth as a team under pressure. On the other hand, the South Carolina Upstate Spartans arrive at this game with a record of 2-7, struggling on their campaign. They have secured only one win in four road games, indicating a challenging season thus far. Despite these hurdles, the Spartans excel in rebounding, ranking second in the Big South with an average of 34.7 rebounds per game, led by Rebekah Gordon, who averages 9.6 rebounds per game. As the Cyclones prepare to face the Spartans, the contrasts in their respective performances highlight the expectations for the game. Iowa State's ability to consistently make three-pointers, averaging 8.1 made three-pointers per game, significantly outweighs the Spartans’ average of 5.9 made three-pointers. This upcoming game shapes up to be a critical test for South Carolina Upstate as they aim to bolster their record against a formidable opponent in Iowa State.