In a stunning upset, unranked Iowa State secured a nail-biting victory over the fourth-ranked Baylor in a thrilling basketball match on Saturday. The Cyclones, led by Audi Crooks and Hannah Belanger, delivered clutch performances in the final 30 seconds to secure a 66-63 win.

Despite trailing for 27 minutes of play, Iowa State rallied in the fourth quarter to turn the tide in their favor. The Cyclones entered the final period down by two points but outscored the Bears 14-9 to complete the comeback.

With just two minutes remaining on the clock, Emily Ryan drew a foul after a steal and made one free throw, putting Iowa State ahead 62-59. However, Baylor's Jada Walker responded with a jumper to narrow the gap to just one point. Walker drew another foul after an Iowa State turnover, capitalizing on both free throws to give Baylor a 63-62 lead.

Crooks then delivered a crucial score in the paint, reclaiming the lead for the Cyclones with just 24 seconds left. However, she missed a three-point attempt, leaving the score at a tense 64-63. In the final moments, Baylor had an opportunity to snatch the victory, but Sarah Andrews' 3-point attempt missed the mark as time expired.

The dynamic duo of Crooks and Belanger made a significant impact for Iowa State, combining for 15 of 24 shots. Crooks led the team with 23 points, while Belanger contributed 15 to the Cyclones' victory. Addy Brown also played a vital role, totaling nine points, 11 rebounds, and five assists.

For Baylor, Dre'una Edwards stood out with 19 points and seven rebounds. Walker added 14 points and eight rebounds, and Darianna Littlepage-Bug contributed eight points and eight rebounds.

Iowa State's triumph was made even more remarkable by their ability to bounce back from a slow start. After falling behind 10-5, Baylor's strong shooting propelled them to a dominant first quarter, ending with a commanding 24-11 lead. However, Iowa State settled into the game, overcoming turnovers and scoring the first seven points of the second quarter. Baylor maintained a ten-point lead until Crooks' late jumper cut the deficit to 37-29 at halftime.

The Cyclones continued their resilience in the third quarter, launching an early run and tying the game at 39 with Belanger's clutch three-pointer near the six-minute mark. However, Baylor responded with back-to-back three-pointers from Aijha Blackwell and Edwards, regaining a six-point advantage. Belanger had another buzzer-beating three-pointer to keep Iowa State within striking distance, trailing 54-52 going into the final quarter.

Baylor had entered the game on a strong note, winning their first 14 games and climbing to the fourth spot in the national rankings. However, a loss to Kansas earlier in the week set the stage for Iowa State's thrilling upset victory.

Although Baylor has historically dominated the series against Iowa State with a 33-12 record, the Cyclones have emerged victorious in three of their last four matchups over the past two seasons.

Following this impressive win, Iowa State will now set their sights on their upcoming game against Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas, scheduled for Wednesday.

Overall, Iowa State's stunning upset victory over highly-regarded Baylor showcases their resilience and determination, further solidifying their position as a team to watch in the Big 12 conference.