The Iowa State Cyclones are gearing up for an intense showdown with the Baylor Bears in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament. Fresh off a decisive 96-88 victory over Arizona State, the Cyclones are facing a quick turnaround to take on the No. 17 nationally ranked Baylor team at 5:30 p.m. on Friday at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
Baylor, on the other hand, is coming off a season finale loss to TCU, which determined the seeding for the tournament. Despite this setback, the Bears had been on a hot streak, winning their previous nine games and improving their record from 16-5 to 25-6. The regular-season matchup between Baylor and Iowa State in Waco, Texas, ended in a 15-point victory for the Bears, marking Iowa State’s largest Big 12 loss of the season. The Cyclones struggled with a 34% shooting percentage, their third-lowest of the season, and only managed to sink one 3-pointer.
Head coach Bill Fennelly acknowledged Baylor’s strong defensive performance in their previous meeting, emphasizing the need for the Cyclones to match their physicality and improve their shooting. Taking care of the ball will be crucial against Baylor’s relentless defensive pressure, as turnovers plagued Iowa State in their earlier matchup.
One standout player for the Cyclones is sophomore forward Addy Brown, who put up an impressive 41 points in the recent game against Arizona State, with 24 of those points coming in the first half alone. Brown’s scoring prowess will be vital against Baylor, and if she can replicate her performance, the Cyclones stand a good chance of overcoming the Bears’ defense.
Sophomore center Audi Crooks will also play a key role for Iowa State, needing to avoid foul trouble to make a significant impact on the court. Crooks’ ability to draw fouls and increase her offensive output will be critical in challenging Baylor’s defense and creating scoring opportunities for her teammates.
When Crooks is able to establish herself offensively, it forces the opposing defense to collapse, opening up opportunities for shooters like Sydney Harris to capitalize from beyond the arc. Harris, along with Brown, showcased their long-range shooting skills in the previous game, knocking down eight of the team’s nine three-pointers.
As the Cyclones prepare to face the Bears in the quarterfinals, they are focused on building upon their recent success and making adjustments to counter Baylor’s strengths. The matchup promises to be a thrilling battle between two competitive teams vying for a spot in the tournament semifinals. Stay tuned for the exciting action unfolding at the T-Mobile Center as the Iowa State Cyclones take on the Baylor Bears in a high-stakes showdown.
