FORT MYERS, Fla. — In a much-needed rebound from their recent defeat, the No. 15 Iowa State Cyclones triumphed over Middle Tennessee, winning 75-59 in the Fort Myers Women’s Tip-Off on Saturday, thanks to Audi Crooks’ impressive performance, scoring 21 points.

Iowa State ended the first half strong, going on a 10-2 run, which allowed them to take a 41-33 lead into halftime. Mackenzie Hare showcased her all-around game with a crucial steal that resulted in a three-point play. Addy Brown made a great contribution by hitting a 3-pointer just before the halftime buzzer.

Brown contributed significantly to the Cyclones’ victory by recording 12 points and grabbing eight rebounds. The team displayed excellent shooting efficiency, hitting 55% of their shots from the field and knocking down eight 3-pointers throughout the game.

For Middle Tennessee, Ta’Mia Scott was the standout player, scoring 24 points, 17 of which came in the second half. Her teammates, Anastasiia Boldyreva and Jalynn Gregory, supplemented her efforts with 14 points each. However, the Blue Racers struggled with their shooting, making only 28% of their attempts in the first half and finishing the game at 31.5%.

In the third quarter, Iowa State extended their lead to 16 points thanks to Hare’s three successful free throws following a foul and a 3-pointer from Aili Tanke. However, the Blue Racers responded with six free throws to narrow the gap to 11 points. By the end of the third quarter, the score showed Iowa State leading by 13.

The Cyclones secured their victory with an 11-3 run at the start of the final period, effectively sealing the game. Despite their challenges, Middle Tennessee managed to make 17 of 20 free throws and had five fewer turnovers than their opponents.