Full Breakdown
Baylor Upsets Iowa State, Handing Cyclones First Loss of the Season
1/5/2026, 8:07:20 PM
Game Overview
In a tightly contested matchup, No. 22 Baylor defeated No. 10 Iowa State 72-70 on January 4, 2026, in Ames, Iowa, marking the Cyclones' first loss of the season. Taliah Scott emerged as the standout player, scoring all 21 of her points in the second half, including the game-winning shot with just 2.9 seconds remaining. The victory improved Baylor's record to 13-3 overall and 2-1 in the Big 12 Conference, while Iowa State fell to 14-1, also with a 2-1 conference record.
Key Players and Performance
Baylor's strategy focused on limiting Iowa State's star player, Audi Crooks, who entered the game averaging 29.4 points per game. Crooks dominated the first half, scoring 22 points, but was held to just four points in the second half due to Baylor's defensive adjustments. Coach Nicki Collen's game plan involved double-teaming Crooks and allowing Jada Williams, who had a career-high 28 points, to take open shots. Williams, however, struggled with her shooting percentage, finishing 11 of 28 from the field.
Darianna Littlepage-Buggs contributed significantly for Baylor, recording 13 points and a career-high 20 rebounds, while Yuting Deng and Jana Van Gytenbeek added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Tactical Adjustments
Baylor's defensive strategy was pivotal in the game's outcome. Initially employing a one-on-one defense against Crooks, Collen shifted to a double-team approach, effectively neutralizing her impact. This tactic forced Iowa State to rely heavily on Williams, who was not as effective from the field. Crooks acknowledged the difficulty of getting the ball due to Baylor's defensive scheme, stating, "It made it really, really hard for the guards to make post-entry passes."
Official Statements & Responses
Following the game, Coach Nicki Collen remarked on the effectiveness of their strategy, saying, "We had to find a way to take Crooks away... when you look at the analytics, Crooks shoots 70%, and we had to pick our poison." Iowa State's Coach Bill Fennelly acknowledged the challenge posed by Baylor's defense, noting, "It's hard to beat a really good team playing two against five."
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the loss, Fennelly emphasized the importance of learning from tough games, stating, "This is what college sports is supposed to teach you... I have no doubt that we’ll do that." Critics of Iowa State's performance pointed out the lack of scoring support beyond Crooks and Williams, as the rest of the team combined for only 16 points on 5 of 23 shooting.
What's Next
Baylor's victory sets the stage for their upcoming game against Colorado, while Iowa State will look to rebound against Cincinnati. The Cyclones must address their reliance on Crooks and Williams to ensure they can compete against future ranked opponents.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We had to find a way to take Crooks away, and so we obviously made the decision to let Jada Williams shoot,” — Nicki Collen, Baylor Head Coach
- “It made it really, really hard for the guards to make post-entry passes because they were also both I think at least 6-foot with ups, so that makes it difficult to get it inside.” — Audi Crooks, Iowa State Player
- “At the end of the day, it's hard to beat a really good team playing two against five, and that's basically what it came down to today,” — Bill Fennelly, Iowa State Head Coach
