Audi Crooks scores 23 points in first college start as Iowa State falls to Syracuse

Iowa State women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly tinkered with his lineup Saturday. It didn’t lead to a victory, but it did produce a memorable day for Audi Crooks.

Crooks, a freshman from Algona Bishop Garrigan, matched a career-high with 23 points in her first collegiate start as Iowa State suffered an 81-69 loss to Syracuse at the South Point Shootout on Saturday in Las Vegas.

The loss was the second-straight for the Cyclones, who went 0-2 in the Thanksgiving weekend event and have dropped three of their last four games.

But there were bright spots for the young Iowa State team (2-3), which stayed within striking distance for most of the day against Syracuse.

Addy Brown scored 19 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and tallied five assists for the Cyclones. Brown connected on a 3-pointer late in the second quarter to tie the game 39-39.

Syracuse was in control the rest of the way. Iowa State went the final 3 minutes 7 seconds of the game without a basket. Syracuse, meanwhile, went on an 8-0 run to end the game.

Crooks connected on 10-of-12 shots from the field while adding four rebounds and two assists. She had come off the bench in Iowa State's first four games this season.

She replaced Isnelle Natabou in the starting lineup. Natabou scored six points and grabbed four rebounds in a reserve role.