Iowa State Dominates Free Throws and Points Inside to Defeat Texas Tech
AMES – Iowa State showcased a dominant performance as they secured their third consecutive victory in the Big 12 Conference with a solid 71-58 win against Texas Tech on Tuesday. Despite facing challenges in the first half, the Cyclones managed to adapt and overcome to improve their overall record to 13-6.
Early Offensive Struggles
The game began with Texas Tech employing a full-court press defensive strategy, causing Iowa State to struggle offensively. The relentless defensive effort led to Iowa State only scoring 13 points in the first quarter. Head coach Bill Fennelly emphasized the physicality of the game, with Texas Tech pressing the Cyclones for the entire duration. The aggressive tactics resulted in turnovers for Iowa State, hampering their offensive flow.
Fouls Cause Hardships on Court
Texas Tech’s aggressive playstyle led to multiple fouls on both sides, with the Cyclones accumulating 16 fouls compared to Texas Tech’s 29. Despite facing physical challenges, Iowa State managed to capitalize on free throw opportunities, shooting an impressive 75% from the line. Audi Crooks led the team with 28 points, showcasing resilience in the face of intense defensive pressure.
Points in the Paint Led the Way
Iowa State’s success stemmed from their dominance in the paint, where they scored 50 points. The team struggled from beyond the arc, going 0-for-7 in 3-point attempts. Despite breaking a long-standing streak of making at least one 3-point shot in every game since 1995, the Cyclones focused on exploiting their strengths inside. Addy Brown contributed 21 points, complementing Crooks’ stellar performance.
In a post-game interview, Crooks humorously acknowledged the team’s historic 3-point shooting streak coming to an end. She emphasized the team’s ability to adapt and find success in other areas of the game, showcasing a positive attitude towards the unique outcome. The Cyclones’ ability to adjust their game plan on the fly and capitalize on their strengths ultimately led to a decisive victory over Texas Tech.
