No. 11 Iowa State Women Stunned by Cincinnati in Shocking Road Loss
Iowa State women hit unexpected roadblock in Big 12 play
The Iowa State women ran into a stunning reality check Wednesday night, suffering a 71–63 road loss to Cincinnati that few saw coming. Entering the matchup ranked No. 11 nationally and riding a 14–0 start to the season, Iowa State left Fifth Third Arena with its second straight defeat and far more questions than answers.
This wasn’t just another loss. It was the kind that lingers.
Short-handed without star guard-forward Addy Brown due to a lingering back injury, the Cyclones (14–2, 2–2 Big 12) also watched starting guard Arianna Jackson go down late with what appeared to be a serious injury. Suddenly, a team that looked steady and confident just days ago now finds itself searching for identity as Big 12 play intensifies.
A quote that felt too fitting
Iowa State head coach Bill Fennelly often references a John Wooden quote displayed on his office wall: “Athletics doesn’t build character. It reveals it.” After the loss, those words felt uncomfortably relevant.
Speaking on the Cyclone Radio Network, Fennelly didn’t sugarcoat the situation.
“We’re gonna find out what our team’s made of,” Fennelly said. “I’ve got great faith they’ll respond, but we’re gonna have to block out a lot of outside noise.”
The outside noise is understandable. Cincinnati entered the game with a 5–10 record and hadn’t beaten a ranked opponent since 2011. Yet from the opening tip, the Bearcats played with urgency, confidence, and control everything Iowa State struggled to find.
Missed chances and missed shots
Audi Crooks carried much of the offensive load for the Cyclones, finishing with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Still, efficiency proved elusive. Crooks shot 10-of-21 from the floor and just 3-of-9 at the free-throw line, a microcosm of Iowa State’s offensive frustrations.
As a team, Iowa State shot 36 percent from the field, an icy 19 percent from three-point range, and just 55 percent at the foul line. Those numbers are rarely good enough to win on the road especially against a team playing freely with nothing to lose.
“Are we disappointed? Absolutely,” Crooks said. “But this just shows how competitive this league is. We’ve got to be on our A-game every night.”
Cincinnati seizes the moment
Credit where it’s due — Cincinnati earned this one.
Despite committing 25 turnovers, the Bearcats shot 49 percent from the field, knocked down 44.4 percent of their three-point attempts, and converted 71 percent of their free throws. That shooting efficiency helped snap a four-game losing streak that included lopsided defeats to Oklahoma State and Kansas State.
“They made winning plays, and we didn’t,” Fennelly admitted. “That’s on us.”
Guard play under the spotlight
Jada Williams chipped in 13 points and dished out a game-high seven assists, but four turnovers proved costly. The sophomore guard took ownership afterward.
“As a point guard, I’ve got to be better,” Williams said. “The turnovers were unacceptable.”
With Brown already sidelined and Jackson’s status uncertain, Iowa State’s backcourt depth may soon be tested like never before.
What comes next for Iowa State women?
The Iowa State women won’t have much time to dwell on this loss. A tough West Virginia squad (13–3, 3–1 Big 12) visits Hilton Coliseum at 2 p.m. Sunday, offering a chance for redemption or further concern.
“There’s still a lot of basketball left,” Fennelly said. “But this one’s disappointing. I thought we were ready. That part’s on me.”
For a program accustomed to resilience, this stretch could define the season. The record is still strong. The talent is still there. But now, character just like Wooden said is being revealed.
And how Iowa State responds may matter more than the loss itself.
