Iowa State defeats Princeton 68-63, advances in NCAA Tournament

In a thrilling NCAA Tournament First Four matchup, Iowa State overcame a 15-point deficit to defeat Princeton 68-63, marking coach Bill Fennelly's 800th career win. After a dismal second quarter where they were outscored 27-7, the Cyclones turned the game around in the third quarter with a 27-9 run, showcasing a dominant performance led by Audi Crooks and Addy Brown, who scored 27 and 22 points respectively. Emily Ryan contributed significantly, tying the Big 12 career assist record with 988 assists. Princeton, despite a strong first half, struggled offensively in the second half, failing to score for extended periods. This victory advances Iowa State (23-11) to face sixth-seed Michigan in the first round. Princeton concludes its season with a record of 21-8 after making its sixth consecutive tournament appearance.