Iowa State Freshman Makes History with 40-Point NCAA Tournament Performance

In a thrilling matchup on Friday night, Iowa State‘s freshman sensation Jordan Crooks etched her name in NCAA tournament history with a remarkable 40-point performance.

Iowa State, seeded 7th, faced off against 10th-seeded Maryland in a game that saw Crooks dominate the court with a career-high scoring output, setting a new record for freshmen in NCAA tournament play.

Coach Bill Fennelly commended his team’s resilience as they mounted a stunning 20-point comeback, marking one of the largest in women’s NCAA tournament history.

Jordan Crooks, emotional after the game, shared the personal significance of her performance, revealing her pregame rituals and dedication to her late father’s memory.

Not only did Crooks secure her place in Iowa State’s record books, but she also became the first freshman in program history to receive AP All-America honors.

The Cyclones’ victory sets up a showdown with Stanford in the next round, with Crooks and her teammates poised to make a deep run in the tournament.

Maryland, led by Coach Brenda Frese, fought hard but couldn’t contain Crooks, who made history with her stellar scoring efficiency.

ESPN Stats & Information and The Associated Press contributed valuable insights to this memorable NCAA tournament clash between Iowa State and Maryland.