Iowa State women’s basketball enters New Year’s Eve facing Houston on Wednesday afternoon with a historic opportunity within reach. The undefeated Cyclones can match the best start in program history with a victory. Audi Crooks leads Iowa State’s dominant run while fighting to preserve perfection.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Iowa State enters at 13-0 overall and 1-0 in Big 12 play, ranked No. 10 nationally
- Houston carries a 6-6 record into the matchup played at Fertitta Center at 1 p.m. CT on December 31
- A win would give Iowa State a 14-0 start, matching the program record set in 2013-14
- Crooks averages 27.6 points per game and scored 41 points against Kansas just 10 days ago
Cyclones Eyeing Historic Start Against Cougars
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Iowa State heads to Space City for their first significant Big 12 road test after fending off late-game threats. The Cyclones barely escaped Kansas with a 79-76 win when Kenzie Hare drilled a buzzer-beating three-pointer just days ago. Now they look to extend their winning streak on New Year’s Eve against a struggling Houston squad wrestling with inconsistency in conference play.
Coach Bill Fennelly‘s squad has navigated several close calls this season while remaining unbeaten. The margin for error tightens on the road, yet Iowa State has shown remarkable poise late in games. A victory would tie the remarkable 2013-14 Cyclones team that also started 14-0 to open the season. This represents one of the finest starts in the program’s storied history.
Audi Crooks’ MVP-Caliber Season Drives Undefeated Run
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Crooks continues her unprecedented scoring assault, leading college basketball nationally with 27.6 points per game. She powered through her third 40-point performance of the season against Kansas, shooting an efficient 19-for-28 from the floor in just 30 minutes. The center also maintains second-best field goal percentage nationally, showcasing elite efficiency alongside her volume scoring.
Earlier this season, Crooks set the Iowa State single-game scoring record with 43 points against Valparaiso in November. Her dominance defines this undefeated run. With 12 games remaining before conference tournament play, Crooks establishes herself as a legitimate national player of the year candidate if Iowa State maintains perfection.
Matchup Preview and Key Storylines
| Factor | Iowa State | Houston |
| Overall Record | 13-0 | 6-6 |
| Big 12 Record | 1-0 | 0-1 (TBA) |
| Key Player | Audi Crooks | TBD |
| Recent Form | Winning 13 straight | Inconsistent |
Houston stumbles into this matchup searching for consistency after a 6-6 start under coach Matthew Mitchell. The Cougars struggle defensively, allowing over 62.8 points per game against a Cyclones offense averaging over 90 points. Iowa State’s +27.5 point differential shows their dominance margin across all contests this season. This figures to be a showcase opportunity for the nation’s elite.
Historic Big 12 Road Test Sets Championship Tone
Road games at the start of conference play test championship mettle. Iowa State has yet to face significant adversity away from Ames, making Houston an important barometer despite the talent gap. The Cyclones closed out 2024 with a statement victory on the road, suggesting they can handle the intensity and travel demands. Fannelly‘s teams historically excel in key moments, preparing well-rested squads for high-stakes intervals.
Success in Houston would fortify Iowa State’s positioning for a deep tournament run and reinforce their standing among national title contenders. The Cougars offer minimal resistance, but road games carry their own psychological burden. Iowa State shoots for perfection to start 2026 in precisely the fashion befitting an elite program.
Can Iowa State’s Historic Perfection Continue Through New Year’s Eve Showdown?
The storyline writes itself perfectly for New Year’s Eve basketball. Iowa State chases history while Houston hopes to create a memorable upset. The Cyclones possess elite talent, experience, and superior depth across the board. Crooks alone generates enough offensive firepower to overwhelm most opponents nationally. Yet college basketball thrives on unpredictability, and road contests introduce variables even the best teams cannot fully control.
Will the Cyclones match the 2013-14 historic start, or will Houston provide a late-year surprise? Wednesday’s matinee showdown delivers answers as Iowa State fights preservation of their undefeated brand heading into conference play.
“The 10th-ranked Cyclones (13-0 overall, 1-0 in Big 12 Conference play) can match the best start in program history when they play Houston.”
— Des Moines Register, Sports Coverage
Sources
- ESPN – Game recap, schedule information, and rankings
- Des Moines Register – Program history and season preview coverage
- Iowa State Athletics (cyclones.com) – Official schedule and primer information
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.