STANFORD, Calif. – The season has been stuffed with surprises for the Iowa State ladies’s basketball staff. The Cyclones, who entered the 2023-24 marketing campaign with a ton of potential however not a lot expertise, weren’t even anticipated to be within the NCAA Event this season.

Seven seed Iowa State delivered one other stunner Friday night time, storming again from a 20-point deficit and beating Maryland 93-86 within the first spherical of the NCAA Event at Maples Pavilion. It was the second-largest comeback in NCAA ladies’s basketball match historical past.

Audi Crooks poured in a career-high 40 factors and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Cyclones, who superior to Sunday’s second-round recreation. Crooks, who set an Iowa State NCAA Event single-game document for area targets (18), tallied the fourth 40-point recreation in Iowa State historical past.

She got here up simply in need of Tonya Burns’ single-game document of 42 factors.

“It is a particular staff and I simply did not need it to finish,” Crooks mentioned.

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It practically did as Iowa State fell behind early after a powerful taking pictures begin from Maryland. The Terrapins led for many of the first half and infrequently missed, taking pictures 60% (18-for-30) from the sector together with 69% (9-of-13) from 3-point vary. They matched a season-high for factors in 1 / 4 with 33 within the first and continued rolling from there.

They went on a 10-0 run within the second quarter and constructed a 48-29 lead on a layup by Jakia Brown-Turner.

Maryland’s Allie Kubek, who entered the sport averaging simply 8.4 factors per recreation, eclipsed that by halftime. Kubek tallied 19 factors within the first two quarters on 6-of-6 taking pictures from the sector, together with 5-of-5 from 3-point vary to assist Maryland take a commanding 52-36 lead into halftime. Maryland’s largest lead was 50-30 with about 90 seconds left within the first half.

“Our objective was to not allow them to shoot quite a lot of free throws and guard sure individuals, which suggests another person is open and the 3s that Allie received, that is my fault,” Iowa State coach Invoice Fennelly mentioned. “That was our recreation plan, to protect the free throw line and the opposite children, and credit score to (Maryland coach Brenda Frese), they made us pay for it early.”

Fennelly made some changes at halftime, together with opting to maintain Crooks near the basket always. The transfer labored, with Crooks exploding within the second half. The Cyclones, who battled again from a number of double-digit deficits through the common season, made one other comeback Friday. It started with a 10-0 run within the third quarter to tie it at 59-all.

Crooks had a pair of layups within the run. Kelsey Joens unleashed a 3 from the nook that tied the sport. Iowa State briefly took a 62-61 lead on an and-one from Crooks. Maryland and Iowa State had been then deadlocked in a 66-66 tie heading into the fourth quarter.

Crooks had 4 factors in a 7-0 run that gave Iowa State a 78-72 lead. Again-to-back baskets by Crooks pushed the result in 89-82. Within the leadup to the sport, Iowa State freshman Addy Brown raved about what a mismatch nightmare Crooks may very well be for Maryland. She was proper, with Crooks taking pictures 18-for-20 from the sector. Her lone misses had been on layup makes an attempt within the first and second quarter.

Crooks was excellent from the sector within the fourth quarter, connecting on all 5 of her pictures from the sector. Brown smiled within the locker room because the Cyclones celebrated the freshman’s large night time.

“They cannot guard her and that was proven tonight,” Brown mentioned.

Crooks received loads of different assist. Emily Ryan scored 18 factors and added 14 assists for the Cyclones. Joens completed with 12 factors. Hannah Belanger added 10 factors. After the sport, Fennelly praised Crooks, calling her efficiency among the finest in Iowa State historical past. Iowa State’s efficiency as a complete was equally spectacular.

“I believed that was one of the entertaining video games I’ve ever been part of,” Fennelly mentioned.