(South Bend, IN) — It was promising for Iowa St. after building a 10 point lead in the third quarter but Michigan came storming back and beat the Cyclones 80-74 in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.
Iowa St. led 37-32 at the half and stretched that lead to 42-32 in the first couple of minutes of the third period. However, Michigan made back-to-back threes from Greta Kampschroeder and Jordan Hobbs and suddenly the lead was only 4. The Cyclones pushed back and got the lead back up to 9 — 51-42 and would lead 56-53 going to the 4th. Michigan went 10-16 from the field in the final quarter — Olivia Olson got a three point play to start the 4th to tie the game at 56-56. After an Alli Tanke missed three for the Cyclones, Mila Holloway made a lay-up to put Michigan up 58-56 and that was the go ahead basket of the game. Iowa St. could never recover. Addy Brown hit a big three with 1:22 left to cut the Michigan advantage to 77-74 but Sydney Harris missed a three to tie it and Olson hit a tough fadeaway jumper in the lane with 20 seconds left to make a 5 point lead.
Iowa St. was led by Audi Crooks with 28 points and she says the team gave it their all
Iowa St. has been knocked out of the NCAA Tournament the last two years and have not made the Sweet 16 since 2022. Crooks says there is more to be done to achieve their goals
The only player that is not eligible to return next season is 5th year Senior Emily Ryan who Assistant Coach Billy Fennelly says will leave a lasting legacy at Iowa St.
Iowa St. finishes their season at 23-11.
