Iowa State drubs Chicago State in women’s basketball season opener

AMES — Iowa State star Audi Crooks scored within 10 seconds.

Her sharp-shooting Cyclone teammates drained their first four 3-point attempts.

And so it went in No. 8 ISU’s women’s basketball season opener — a 96-56 drubbing of Chicago State — on Monday before a crowd of 9,983 at Hilton Coliseum.

“I thought the first quarter we were locked in and the things we asked them to do, they did it,” longtime Cyclones head coach Bill Fennelly said. “When you’re getting stops and you’re getting transition (baskets) — and then in the half court, Addy (Brown) and Audi kind of took over the game. So, great start to the game and excited that we had that ability because at times that’s not been our strength.”

ISU raced to a staggering 29-0 lead before the Cougars banked in a 3-pointer to beat the first quarter’s buzzer.

Crooks scored 16 points in 18 minutes and Brown complied a line of 20 points, nine rebounds and five assists in less than 23 minutes. Ten of the 11 Cyclones who played scored, grabbed a rebound or dished out at least one assist.

“It was super loud in there,” Brown said. “Lots of energy. So it was a fun day.”

Thousands of elementary school-aged children shrieked with delight as ISU bolted to a 52-point lead late in the third quarter before digging deep into its rotation in the final several minutes. Brown’s efficiency certainly pleased both the young and old in the crowd — and the 6-foot=2 sophomore forward form Derby, Kan., also blocked three shots to match a single-game career high.

“She is as skilled, as talented, as any player at her position in the country,” Fennelly said. “And when her motor’s going — I mean, she can post up, she can shoot the 3. She’s a great passer. At times, she’s an engaged (and) motived defender, and once she does that, she’s pretty good. She walks that very fine line between confidence and cocky in a good way.”

Four different Cyclones scored in double figures, including true freshman shooting guard Aili Tanke, who drilled three of her four 3-point attempts and finished with 12 points in her first career start.

“I thought she was fantastic tonight, this morning, whatever time it is,” Fennelly said. “We’ve given every kid a lot of opportunities, and she has been the best, the most consistent, in that spot. She just knows what she can do, and I think she’s really comfortable playing with the other four (starters) that have a little experience. I think they all showed some good moments, but you’ve got to give her credit: when you’re a freshman and you start in this environment, you never know how it’s gonna go.”

Tanke almost didn’t believe it when Fennelly told her she’d be starting.

“It kind of felt like a dream,” the former Johnston standout said.

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