The landscape of women's college basketball history has officially shifted. For years, Brittney Griner stood alone atop one of the sport's most impressive statistical peaks, but that exclusive air has now been shared.
A Legendary Standard Set
Brittney Griner's collegiate career at Baylor was the stuff of legend. A transformative force under coach Kim Mulkey, she powered the Bears to a national championship in 2012 while sweeping back-to-back National Player of the Year honors. Her dominance in the paint was unmatched, a fact cemented by her recording five 40-point games during her tenure—a Big 12 Conference record that seemed destined to stand the test of time.
Griner's legacy, of course, extends far beyond Waco. The first overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft, she's a six-time All-Star, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, and remains one of the most formidable centers the game has ever seen. Yet, one of her most durable collegiate marks has finally found company.
A New Scoring Phenom Emerges
Enter Audi Crooks. The Iowa State star forward authored a performance for the ages on Sunday night, completely dismantling the Kansas State Wildcats. Crooks poured in 41 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and dished out two assists in a masterclass of efficiency, shooting a blistering 16-of-19 from the field and a perfect 9-of-9 from the charity stripe.
More importantly, that explosive outing marked her fifth career 40-point game. As noted by ESPN Insights, that monumental achievement officially tied Crooks with Brittney Griner for the most such games in Big 12 history. A record once considered untouchable has been reached, signaling the arrival of a new scoring titan.
Fan Reaction and Future Hype
The basketball world is buzzing with excitement over Crooks' historic feat and her seemingly limitless potential. Fans flooded social media with praise, highlighting her scoring prowess and the excitement she brings to the sport. One fan declared her "a scoring machine," while others speculated about dream pairings in the professional ranks, suggesting a future duo with a player like Angel Reese would be "unstoppable."
Comments ranged from calling her an "absolute legend" in the making to predictions of more 40-point explosions during the upcoming March Madness tournament. The consensus is clear: Audi Crooks is a "big-time player" who is elevating the hype around women's basketball to new levels.
What This Means for the Record Books
This moment is more than just a tied statistic; it's a symbolic passing of the torch in one facet of the game. Griner's record stood for over a decade as a testament to her unique, era-defining dominance. Crooks matching it underscores the evolution of offensive talent in the women's game and promises thrilling battles for scoring supremacy in the years to come.
With the NCAA tournament on the horizon, all eyes will be on Iowa State and their superstar forward. If her current form is any indication, she may not be tied with Griner for long—she might just blaze a trail all her own. One thing is certain: March Madness just got a lot more interesting.
