Iowa State overtakes Princeton for First Four victory

Field Level Media|published: 03/19/2025, 9:47pm EDT

Mar 7, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Iowa State Cyclones center Audi Crooks (55) shoots a free throw against the Baylor Lady Bears in the second half at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Amy Kontras-Imagn Images

Audi Crooks scored 27 points and Addy Brown contributed 22 for Iowa State, which rallied from a 15-point second-half deficit to beat Princeton 68-63 on Wednesday in a Women's NCAA Tournament First Four game in South Bend, Ind.

The Cyclones (23-11) advance as a No. 11 seed to face No. 6 seed Michigan in a Birmingham Region 3 game in South Bend on Friday.

The Tigers (21-8) led 40-25 after Princeton's Parker Hill opened the second half with a layup. Princeton didn't sink another basket for eight minutes, and Iowa State went on a 21-2 run to move in front 46-42. Emily Ryan capped the surge by completing a three-point play with 2:50 left in the third quarter.

A last-second Ryan jumper gave Iowa State a five-point lead entering the fourth period, and the Cyclones remained ahead by a margin of four to eight points through the entire final quarter.

Fadima Tall led Princeton with 19 points. Ashley Chea put up 15 points, Skye Belker logged 11 points, and Hill totaled 10 points and 12 rebounds.

The Cyclones shot 46.8 percent while limiting the Tigers to 35.8 percent.

--Field Level Media