Wildcats' Woes Continue: Arizona Falls to Iowa State

There are some games where you just can't seem to catch a break, and for the Arizona Women's Basketball team, their recent outing against Iowa State felt precisely like that. Played on what was essentially neutral ground in Kansas City, the Wildcats battled hard, yet ultimately found themselves on the wrong side of a 76-64 scoreboard, a result that, unfortunately, stretches their current losing streak just a little bit further.

Things actually began with a spark of real promise for the Wildcats. They came out firing, establishing an impressive 13-2 run early in the first quarter, really setting the tone and making it seem like they might just run away with it. You could feel the confidence building! But, as so often happens in competitive basketball, Iowa State slowly but surely chipped away at that initial advantage. By halftime, after a hard-fought back-and-forth, the momentum had subtly shifted, with the Cyclones nudging ahead by a single point, 35-34. It was a classic case of a team finding its footing after an initial stumble.

The third quarter, though, that's where the game truly pivoted. It proved to be a brutal stretch for Arizona, as Iowa State unleashed an offensive surge, outscoring the Wildcats by a significant 28-14 margin. Suddenly, that slim one-point deficit ballooned into a daunting lead. It felt like every shot the Cyclones took found the bottom of the net, while Arizona, despite their best efforts, struggled to find their rhythm and keep pace. That quarter, in particular, was a tough pill to swallow, completely changing the complexion of the contest.

Facing a sizable deficit heading into the final frame, the Wildcats certainly didn't throw in the towel. They battled back with grit and determination, trying desperately to close the gap. Helena Pueyo, in particular, shone bright, pouring in a team-high 18 points, and she got solid support from Esmery Martinez, who added 14 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, showing real fight under the basket. Skylar Vann also chipped in with 10 points and 6 boards. They made some inroads, no doubt, but the hole dug in the third quarter was simply too deep to climb out of completely.

Credit where credit is due, Iowa State's Audi Crooks was absolutely instrumental in their victory, dominating the paint with an impressive 24 points and 13 rebounds – a truly stellar performance. For Arizona, the numbers tell part of the story: a field goal percentage of just 38.7% and 23.8% from beyond the arc meant too many missed opportunities. Meanwhile, the Cyclones were a bit more efficient, shooting 44.4% from the field and 37.5% from three-point range. While this loss is undoubtedly frustrating, the team will need to regroup quickly. Their next challenge brings them back home to face USC on January 12th, a chance to turn things around in front of their home crowd. Every game is a lesson, and you just know they'll be looking to learn from this one.