In a thrilling upset, No. 22 Baylor handed No. 10 Iowa State its first loss of the season with a 72-70 win on Sunday afternoon in Ames, Iowa. The victory not only marked a significant milestone for the Bears but also demonstrated a defensive strategy that might just provide a blueprint for slowing down Naismith Player of the Year candidate Audi Crooks.
Baylor’s Taliah Scott was instrumental in the win, scoring all 21 of her points in the second half, including a crucial last-second jumper. However, it was the Bears’ tactical adjustments regarding Crooks that set the stage for their success against the previously undefeated Cyclones, who fell to 14-1.
Before the game, Baylor head coach Nicki Collen humorously noted that the team would need “supernatural help” to defend Crooks, the nation’s leading scorer averaging 29.4 points per game on an incredible 72.5% shooting. With such a historic scoring record, including three games of 40 points or more, Crooks seemed nearly unstoppable. She dominated early in the matchup, scoring Iowa State’s first nine points and finishing the first half with 22 points.
Yet, while Crooks excelled initially, Baylor began to alter its defensive strategy mid-game. The Bears increased their pressure, double-teaming Crooks in the fourth quarter and forcing Iowa State to rely on other players. This move paid off, as Crooks went scoreless in the final period and managed only four points after halftime. Her struggles were compounded by the Bears’ decision to let Jada Williams take shots, who, despite being a strong playmaker, had been shooting poorly.
Crooks acknowledged the difficulty she faced with the Bears’ determined defense, which effectively stymied post-entry passes. Iowa State’s coach, Bill Fennelly, recognized the challenge posed by Baylor’s defense, mentioning that the inability to effectively get the ball to Crooks contributed significantly to his team’s struggles.
While Crooks finished with 26 points, much of her scoring came in the first half, and the Cyclones’ other players could only muster 16 points collectively. Williams, on the other hand, recorded a career-high 28 points but could not offset the highlights of Baylor’s defensive game plan.
Throughout the season, many have questioned why opponents have not doubled up on Crooks more often, particularly given Iowa State’s strong three-point shooting. However, Baylor’s strategy of diverting attention away from Crooks while maintaining pressure on Iowa State’s sharpshooters proved effective in managing the game’s flow.
Collen’s bold tactics not only secured Baylor’s biggest win of the season but raised questions about whether other teams will adopt similar strategies against Crooks in future games. As Iowa State prepares to face Cincinnati next, the challenge remains: how will they adapt to this newfound blueprint for shutting down their star player? The upcoming contest promises to reveal whether the Cyclones can adjust and reclaim their dominance, while Baylor’s victory heralds a hopeful sign of strategic innovation in women’s basketball.