BYU women's basketball's strong start fades as Iowa State takes control, wins game

The BYU women’s basketball team came out swinging Wednesday night, determined to take down Iowa State on its home court.

Fueled by an energetic first-quarter performance, the Cougars looked poised to pull off an upset — but a second-quarter surge by the Cyclones turned the tide, leading to an 82-59 BYU loss.

The Cougars wasted no time asserting themselves, with Emma Calvert opening the scoring and the team quickly building an 18-12 lead. BYU’s offense clicked early, showcasing versatility with jump shots, three-pointers, and fast breaks. The Cougars’ defense also held firm, forcing tough shots and turnovers from the Cyclones.

Momentum shifted dramatically in the second quarter. Iowa State’s Addy Brown stole the show, lighting up the scoreboard with an 11-point run that stunned BYU. Despite key defensive plays from Kemery Congdon and Heather Hamson, the Cyclones closed the half with a 38-33 advantage, leaving BYU searching for answers.

BYU didn’t go quietly. Delaney Gibb led the charge with 18 points, while Congdon’s two third-quarter three-pointers kept the team within striking distance. But Iowa State’s dominant duo of Audi Crooks and Addy Brown proved too much, combining for 46 points. In the final minutes, Kendra Gillispie’s three-pointer highlighted BYU’s fight, but the Cyclones closed the door with a commanding finish.

While this marks the third consecutive year Iowa State has bested BYU, the game revealed both promise and areas for growth. The Cougars showed flashes of brilliance and resilience but will need to tighten their defense and find consistency to contend with high-caliber opponents.

Saturday’s matchup against in-state rival Utah offers BYU the perfect stage to bounce back and reestablish its rhythm. A fired-up Marriott Center crowd could provide the boost the Cougars need to turn the page.