KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After taking down Texas Tech in Round 2 of the women's Big 12 tournament on Saturday, Baylor women's basketball was looking to ride that same momentum against Iowa State in the quarterfinals.
It was back and forth for much of the first quarter, Bella Fontleroy hits back-to-back threes to tie it up. Iowa State's Addy Brown with all seven points in the first 7 minutes of play.
Cyclone's Audi Crooks continued to show her athleticism from the paint and the arc sinking a three in the first quarter, something ISU fans don't get to see very often.
Fontleroy sinks a three to end the first quarter and it's all tied up 20-20.
Coming into this matchup, the Bears knew Audi Crooks was going to cause problems in the paint. But Nicki Collen's plan on defense frazzled the freshman first half, going 3 for 8 with three turnovers. Cyclone's adjusted forcing the ball outside shooting 46% from three going into the half with a 36-31 lead.
Second half, different story. Crooks finding her groove down low with 19 points heading into the fourth quarter. Bears take their first lead of the third quarter with a steal and layup to make it 45-44. But Baylor defense putting in work with 6 total steals in the third, showing some of the most intense defense we've seen all season.
Dre Edwards on fire in the fourth racking in all eight points to kick it off. But this one came down to the wire.
Iowa State escapes with the win, 67-62 final.
