In the Iowa State Cyclones’ 93-86 win over Maryland, freshman Audi Crooks joined Bill Walton as the only player in NCAA Tournament history to score 40 points on at least 90% shooting. She also became the first freshman to score 40 points in an NCAA Tournament game.
Audi Crooks Record Setting Game
Per ESPN Stats and Info, Crooks’ 40 points are also tied for the second-most in a NCAA Women’s Tournament debut, only trailing behind former Clemson standout Barbara Kennedy’s 43-point performance in 1982, the first year the women’s tournament was held.
“That was so fun; my teammates soaked me in water,” Crooks said, still grinning from ear to ear some 30 minutes later. “I’m just excited to be able to have another game with these girls, with this group. This is a special team and I just didn’t want it to end.”
Crooks made 18 of 20 shots from the field and grabbed 12 rebounds.
“She dropped 40 on 20 shots, that’s pretty eye-popping right there,” Ryan said of pointing out the stat sheet to her teammate. “It was a special night for her as well as our team. It couldn’t have happened to a better person. … When we throw it in there she gets it every time.”
The Cyclones once trailed by 20 points to the Terrapins, and it marked the second-largest comeback in NCAA Tournament history. Texas A&M has the record with a 21-point comeback against Penn State in 2017.
Crooks Led Iowa State
Crooks was the Cyclones’ first freshman to earn AP All-America honors, and her honorable mention selection was this week. She came into the tournament leading Iowa State in scoring and rebounding,. Crooks averages 18.9 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. She became the 16th player to score 40 or more this season.
Crooks is surrounded by good people who love and care about her, contributing to her success.
“I’m just grateful, I can’t say thank you enough to the people that I’m surrounded by,” Crooks said. “When you’re surrounded by people that you love, That also care about you, that trust you as much as they do getting you the ball, that speaks volumes to how we play as a unit.”
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