AMES, Iowa (Interstat) — In a game defined by brilliant individual offense and a frantic final sequence, Iowa State remained undefeated, edging Kansas 79-76 in a Big 12 Conference women’s basketball thriller Sunday at Hilton Coliseum.

The Cyclones improved to 13-0 overall and 1-0 in the Big 12, while the Jayhawks fell to 10-3 and 0-1. The game, a stark contrast to Iowa State’s 18.5-point pregame favoritism, was not decided until the final second.

The most critical moment unfolded in the closing ticks. With the score tied at 76 and 5 seconds remaining, Kansas guard S’Mya Nichols, who finished with 29 points and seven assists, hit a tough jump shot to seemingly give the Jayhawks the lead. Iowa State called a timeout with 5 seconds left to advance the ball.

On the ensuing inbounds play, the Cyclones worked the ball to Addy Brown at the top of the key. With the Kansas defense collapsing, Brown fired a pass to the left wing where Mackenzie Hare, who had been quiet with just three points, caught and released a three-pointer as time expired. The shot found nothing but net, sending the Hilton Coliseum crowd into a frenzy and handing Iowa State a dramatic victory.

The game-winner capped a contest that was an offensive showcase, particularly in the paint. Iowa State’s efficiency was staggering, shooting 55% from the field (33 of 60) despite making only 2 of 8 from three-point range. They dominated inside, scoring 62 points in the paint. Kansas countered with exceptional perimeter shooting, hitting 12 of 21 from beyond the arc (57.1%) and shooting 49.1% overall.

The individual duel between Iowa State’s Audi Crooks and Kansas’s Nichols was the central narrative. Crooks, a 6-foot-3 sophomore from Algona, Iowa, was virtually unstoppable, scoring 41 points on 18-of-28 shooting in just 30 minutes. She added four rebounds and three assists, consistently finishing through contact and demonstrating a refined mid-range game. Her performance followed a 30-point outing against Iowa just 11 days prior.

Nichols, a 6-foot sophomore from Overland Park, Kansas, was equally magnificent for the Jayhawks. She poured in her 29 points on 9-of-18 shooting, including 3 of 5 from deep, and added five rebounds and her seven assists. She was the engine for Kansas, particularly in the second half as they clawed back from several small deficits.

Iowa State’s balance behind Crooks proved vital. Addy Brown, a 6-2 freshman from Derby, Kansas, played all 40 minutes, contributing 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Point guard Jada Williams orchestrated the offense with 11 points and 10 assists. For Kansas, Libby Fandel of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, scored 18 points, all on six three-pointers, while Laia Conesa added six points and six rebounds.

The game featured 10 ties and 13 lead changes. Kansas led 20-18 after the first quarter, but Iowa State used a 14-4 run in the second quarter to build a 32-24 advantage. The Jayhawks responded with an 8-0 run of their own to tie the game at halftime, 32-32.

The third quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with Iowa State taking a 59-57 lead into the final period. The Cyclones built a 70-64 lead with 6:54 remaining after a Crooks turnaround jumper, but Kansas answered with a 9-0 run, capped by a Conesa three-pointer, to take a 73-70 lead with 5:10 left.

From there, the teams traded blows. Crooks tied the game at 74 with a jumper at the 1:40 mark. After two Nichols free throws gave Kansas a 76-74 lead, Crooks answered again with a jumper off a Williams assist to tie it at 76 with 1:05 remaining, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.

Iowa State’s victory, while narrow, showcased their resilience and offensive firepower. They committed only nine turnovers and dished out 16 assists on 33 made field goals. Kansas, despite the loss, proved its mettle against a top-tier opponent, battling through 11 turnovers and a stark disadvantage in assists (3 to 16) with hot shooting and tenacity.

The Cyclones next play at Houston on Wednesday. Kansas returns home to host West Virginia on Jan. 1.