Iowa State wins fifth straight at Utah 79-72

Editors note: Story provided by Iowa State Athletics

Iowa State (19-5, 7-5 Big 12) won its fifth straight as it took down Utah (15-8, 6-5 Big 12) on the road by a final of 79-72.

Iowa State took the lead for good at the end of the first quarter and had four in double figures, led by Audi Crooks with 26. Jada Williams (14), Arianna Jackson (12) and Sydney Harris (12) joined Crooks. Jackson and Harris each made four 3-pointers as Iowa State drained 10 total -- its 10th game this season shooting 10-plus.

Crooks scored in double-figures for the 90th game in a row, and had her 17th game this season with 20 points or more.

Jada Williams and Jackson put in two early 3-pointers, while Alisa Williams made it a four-point game with a layup as the clock hit five minutes. That score held until a Utah bucket with 3:18 remaining in the first, and the Utes hit back-to-back 3s soon after to retake the lead at 14-12. Iowa State responded with the final points of the frame as Crooks hit a layup and Jackson delivered her second triple, to end the first up 17-14.

Jackson, still with the hot hand, drained her third 3-pointer as the second began and two Jada Williams free throws stretched ISU's run to 10 to make it 22-14. Another Jackson 3 came at the 7:15 mark, causing a Utah timeout as Iowa State went up nine. Jada Williams made the lead double digits with a deep shot a minute later, but Utah cut the lead to six at halftime (33-27).

Crooks had an early 8-0 run in the third, and Harris made two beyond-the-arc shots moments later as ISU's advantage grew to 16 (49-33). Another Harris triple brought the score to 54-35 midway through the quarter, but she was not done there as she collected her fourth of the frame as the third quarter came to a close.

Iowa State entered the fourth quarter ahead 63-45, and Utah would trim its deficit down to 12 at the final media timeout (70-58). But the Cyclones kept the lead, sealing it 79-72.

Iowa State remains in Utah, facing BYU on Tuesday (Feb. 10). The game tips at 8 p.m. CT and will be streamed on ESPN+.