AMES, Iowa (AP) — Audi Crooks set a program record with 43 points in just 20 minutes for No. 16 Iowa State in a 97-50 rout over Valparaiso on Wednesday in the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

Crooks set the program’s single-game record on a free throw with 8:42 remaining in the fourth quarter, passing Tonya Burns’ mark of 42 against Nebraska on Jan. 18, 1984. Crooks scored the first six points of the fourth for a 73-42 lead before being subbed out.

Crooks, who also added seven rebounds and a block, extended her streak of scoring in double figures to 71 straight games on 18-of-23 shooting. It’s the longest active streak in NCAA women’s basketball and the longest in Cyclones history.

Crooks poured in 22 points in the first half, leading a 33-10 run and giving the Cyclones (3-0) a 43-22 lead at the break.

Addy Brown was the second-leading scorer for the Cyclones with 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting, with seven rebounds and four assists. Brown also went over 1,000 career points. Jada Williams notched her first career double-double with 11 points and a career-high 10 assists, along with three steals.

Milana Nenadic was the lone double-digit scorer for the Beacons (0-3), tallying 20 points on 8-of-19 shooting with six rebounds and a couple of steals.

The Cyclones offense was 53.4% from the field (39 for 73), while holding the Beacons to 29% (18 for 62). It marks four consecutive games with 85 points or more to begin the season, and an average of 44.5 points per game allowed.

Up next

Valparaiso: The Crusaders will host Milwaukee on Sunday.

Iowa State: The Cyclones face Norfolk State at home on Sunday.

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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A local nonprofit that provides Thanksgiving meals to families in need says it might not be able to fill all requests this year due to concerns about SNAP benefit funding during the government shutdown.

The Iowa Giving Crew has distributed Thanksgiving dinners since 2017. This year, the organization plans to distribute 2,500 meals, surpassing its previous record of 2,000, and is expanding its coverage area to include the Quad Cities.

“People don’t always humanize that, and you know, it’s really hard to share that story,” said Danielle Monthei, fundraising director for Iowa Giving Crew.

Monthei said she understands food insecurity firsthand, having been raised by a single mother who relied on SNAP benefits.

“She worked really, really hard. The benefits that we were given were really necessary for us,” Monthei said.

The nonprofit loads boxes with everything families need for a home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner. With SNAP benefits not being funded during the government shutdown, organizers worry more people will need assistance this year.

“What I think some of us feel the void we are trying to fill is food insecurity in general, whereas ‘Operation Give Birds’ is to create the Thanksgiving experience,” Monthei said.

The organization’s Operation Give Birds program typically focuses on providing Thanksgiving extras while families use their regular benefits for everyday groceries. But the current funding situation could change that dynamic.

People can start signing up on Thursday to receive Thanksgiving meals through the Operation Give Birds website or Facebook page. The program serves the areas of Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Waterloo, Dubuque, and Davenport.

“When people have access to their benefits, they can only worry about Thanksgiving,” Monthei said.

With Congress moving forward to reopen the government, Monthei said she hopes public support will help meet grocery needs so Operation Give Birds can focus on holiday extras.

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