AMES, Iowa — On Saturday, Colorado Buffaloes women’s basketball (16-7, 7-5 Big 12) took on the Iowa State Cyclones (17-9, 8-5 Big 12) for the first time in nearly 15 years. Despite coming off of a four-game win streak, CU struggled on both sides of the floor, giving up open looks while struggling to find a rhythm offensively. The Buffs were unable to continue their hot streak, losing 86-56.
Returning to Ames for the first time since 2011, this Big 12 matchup looked to renew a rivalry between two competitive schools.
With CU sitting just one spot above ISU in conference standings, Saturday’s game was a chance for the Cyclones to catch up.
While the Buffs struggled to get shots to fall in the first period, the Cyclones started hot from beyond the arc.
Iowa State began to pull away and put together a 12-0 run, causing CU to take a timeout in the first quarter. The home team scored a blistering 29 points in the first quarter alone.
Playing without leading scorer Frida Formann, CU looked stagnant on offense.
Former Cyclone Nyamer Diew had extra motivation to perform well against her old team. She came off the bench firing right away, finishing as the Buffs’ leading scorer with 15 hard-earned points.
Cyclone forward Audi Crooks proved to be difficult for CU to handle. Her impact was felt immediately, as the Buffs struggled to match her physical presence inside. The 6-foot-3 sophomore put up 16 points and seven rebounds in the first half alone. Crooks was able to find success against each of the several different defenders head coach JR Payne threw her way. Even CU’s toughest interior defenders were no match for her powerful game.
Crooks finished with 33 points, matching her season-high, and 12 rebounds.
What was anticipated to be a high-intensity shootout quickly transformed into a blowout in favor of the Cyclones.
“Iowa State is such a great team that if you aren’t 100% where you’re supposed to be, they’re going to make you pay,” head coach JR Payne said following the loss.
Although the Buffs cut the deficit to 14 near the end of the third quarter thanks to eight points in the period for Johanna Teder, ISU’s 48% shooting from 3 was simply too much to overcome for the visiting team.
The black and gold will stay on the road and take on the Utah Utes (18-5, 9-3 Big 12) on Wednesday. Stream the Big 12 contest on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. MT.