No. 10 Iowa State women seek first mythical state crown since 2021

AMES — Four years.

That’s how long it’s been since Iowa State’s women’s basketball team won the mythical state title by sweeping Drake, Iowa and Northern Iowa.

And Sunday, the tenth-ranked Cyclones (11-0) could end that skid when they face Tanya Warren’s Panthers (4-5) at 5 p.m. at Hilton Coliseum.

“That means a lot to us,” Fennelly said on Friday. “It means a lot to our fans.”

ISU’s 31-year head coach also acknowledged that people outside of the state don’t “get” that, but that’s of no concern to him. Last season, the Cyclones went 1-2 against intra-state rivals — including an 87-75 setback to UNI in Cedar Falls. So there may be a little extra motivation to complete that sweep on Sunday.

“I think any time you lose to an in-state team, you have to have a little bit of a mindset change,” said ISU reserve guard Reagan Wilson, who’s been impressive on both ends of the floor while playing more minutes as fellow backup Reese Beaty nurses a foot injury. “We went to their place and they kind of gave us a message, so I know we’re hoping to give that back at home.”

The Cyclones already nixed a three-game losing streak in the Cy-Hawk series by outlasting Iowa, 74-69, Wednesday at Hilton. Three ISU players — Addy Brown, Audi Crooks and Jada Williams recorded double-doubles in that win. Brown scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Crooks had 30 points and 10 boards. Williams scored 12 points and dished out 12 assists.

“Everyone was like, ‘Oh, this is the biggest rivalry in (women’s) college basketball,” said Williams, a transfer from Arizona. “I definitely experienced that. I had never been a part of anything this special. It’s definitely way bigger than me.”

Still, the dynamic Williams seems to be built for big games. She might not always shoot a great percentage, but she will make bold and game-winning plays. That’s her role for a tight-knit team that’s also constructed to shine in big games.

“Every single day, we love on each other,” Williams said. “And no matter what the case may be — win, lose, whatever — we’re gonna still love each other.”

That’s from the headliners on the roster such as Crooks, Brown and Williams, to the valuable reserves who may play little or not at all.

Fennelly told Wilson that would be her role entering the season, but with Beaty out until at least Christmas, she’s delivered top performances off the bench each time.

“I put in the work,” she said. “So I prepared for moments like these.”

Comments: robgray18@icloud.com