LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Iowa State (2-2, 0-0 Big 12) fell to unbeaten Vanderbilt (6-0, 0-0 SEC) on Friday afternoon in its first game at the South Point Shootout. Despite a 12-point halftime deficit, the Cyclones worked to get back within 43-40 at the end of the third quarter but were limited to 13 fourth-quarter points while the Commodores made 10-of-11 free throws to close out the contest.

Audi Crooks led the Cyclones with 14 points, finishing 6-of-9 from the floor, while Addy Brown chipped in 11 points with five rebounds and three assists.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Iowa State and Vanderbilt traded baskets through most of the first quarter until an 8-0 run gave the Cyclones a 12-9 advantage in the final minute of the period. Isnelle Natabou put the Cyclones on the board following a Vandy triple, and Addy Brown hit her first basket of the night on a step back jumper to stay within 5-4.

The Commodores score back-to-back field goals before Brown made a layup driving to the basket that started the Cyclone rally. Crooks completed a 3-point play, drawing contact on a made layup under the basket before making her free throw to tie the game. Iowa State took its first lead on a Kelsey Joens triple, but Vanderbilt hit a jumper to pull within 12-11 at the end of the quarter.

Vanderbilt continued the run by scoring the first six point of the second quarter before another Crooks layup ended the streak. The Cyclones would only produce one more score in the half on a Natabou layup that saw ISU get back within 20-16, but Vanderbilt scored the final eight points to hold the 28-16 lead at halftime. Iowa State shot just 18 percent from the floor in the quarter.

The Cyclones slowly worked their way back in the third quarter, trading scores throughout the first five minutes of the period. Nyamer Diew provided a spark for ISU, scoring seven of her 10 total points in the run to keep the Cyclones within striking distance. With just over three minutes left in the quarter, Iowa State’s offense ignited for a 10-2 run to close the quarter. Crooks made a layup before Diew blocked a shot and moved the ball down the floor to Joens, who hit her second 3-pointer of the night to make it a six-point ballgame. Brown added back-to-back scores, including a putback layup following a 3-pointer miss and completed a 3-point play after drawing a foul on a layup under the basket.

Crooks cut the deficit to one to start the fourth quarter, making a layup to put Iowa State within 43-42. Vanderbilt scored 11 of the next 12 before Diew knocked down a triple to stay within eight points. The Commodores score the next five, but Crooks completed her second 3-point play of the night with another layup and free throw. But Vanderbilt scored nine of the final 13 points to secure the win and remain undefeated.

TOP PERFORMANCE

Audi Crooks led Iowa State with 14 points and four rebounds. Finishing 6-of-9 from the floor, she shot at or above .500 in each of ISU’s four games this season. Crooks is shooting nearly 70 percent from the floor this season, a top mark by a Big 12 freshman and second overall in the conference.

UP NEXT

Iowa State takes on Syracuse tomorrow (Saturday), November 25^th in game two of the South Point Shootout. Tipoff against the Orange is set for 1 p.m. CT.