Kenzie Hare’s lone basket — a 3-pointer from 24 feet — kept the No. 10 Cyclones’ record unblemished Sunday afternoon
After going 1-for-2 from the field all night, Hare took the biggest shot Iowa State could offer her. With five seconds left, the game tied and Hilton Coliseum holding its breath, she rose from 24 feet and buried the buzzer-beating 3-point basket that lifted Iowa State past Kansas 79-76 in a Big 12 opener that demanded nerve — more than numbers.
Hare’s is the first game-winning buzzer beater since Lyndsey Medders sank a 3-pointer with 0.2 seconds left against Colorado in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament in 2005.
Kansas struck early, leading 12-8 at the under-5 timeout of the first quarter behind sharp shooting from Cedar Rapids native and Xavier alumna Libby Fandel. Audi Crooks answered immediately, scoring six of Iowa State’s first eight points and finishing the quarter with 11 as the Jayhawks led 20-14.
The Jayhawks maintained control in the second quarter, pushing ahead 26-24 at the under-5 mark, but Crooks refused to let the Cyclones drift. She punished switches, finished through contact and anchored Iowa State through a rough shooting half. At the break, Iowa State trailed just 34-32 despite going 0-for-4 from 3-point range. Crooks had 20 points on 9-of-15 shooting, while Kansas stayed afloat by hitting 7 of 12 from deep.
The third quarter became a test of endurance and will. Kansas led 48-47 at the under-5 timeout as Crooks climbed to 29 points, but Iowa State finally found balance. A 6-0 run flipped the lead to 55-50, sparked by Alisa Williams, who scored the Cyclones’ final eight points of the quarter. Crooks followed with another surge, reaching 35 points as Iowa State ripped off a 15-5 run that carried into the fourth.
When Iowa State stretched the margin to 70-59 with 6:30 remaining, the Cyclones appeared in control. Kansas answered with a 10-0 run, forcing Bill Fennelly to call his first timeout as the game tightened to a single possession. Crooks checked back in with 3:08 left, the night once again hanging in the balance.
Iowa State led 76-74 with 16.5 seconds remaining, but Kansas had one final response. S’Mya Nichols drove and tied the game at 76-76, quieting the crowd and setting the stage for one last possession.
No timeout. No hesitation.
The ball found Hare. One shot left to take.
She delivered.
