AMES – The Hilton Coliseum crowd was still fuming from an offensive foul call against Iowa State freshman Reese Beaty in the second quarter when the young guard tipped a Mercyhurst pass in front of her own team’s bench. Beaty corralled the bouncing ball and took off down the court, leaving her Mercyhurst counterpart behind her as she leaped to the basket and bounced in an easy layup.
Beaty was one of the biggest contributors in what turned out to be a huge second quarter for the Cyclones. Iowa State used the strong second frame to overcome a slow start as the 15th-ranked Cyclones beat Mercyhurst (0-5) 112-62 at Hilton Coliseum on Nov. 23. With the win, Iowa State improved to 7-0 on the season for the first time since the 2021-22 season. That Cyclones team went on to win 28 games and go to the Sweet 16.
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“Reese was really good,” said Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly. “She’s getting more and more comfortable at this level. She’s getting more and more comfortable with the people she plays with.”
It’s showing with Beaty already getting big minutes early this season. The Cyclones have their big stars in Audi Crooks, Addy Brown and Jada Williams. They also have a variety of other big contributors including Beaty, who finished with 11 points and three assists during another lopsided win for the Cyclones. The 5-foot-8 newcomer delivered when Iowa State needed her most.
The Cyclones, who mostly rolled through their first six games of the season, were thought to be on the same court Sunday against a Mercyhurst squad that was walloped by Michigan State 125-39 on Nov. 4. But the Lakers gave Iowa State some early struggles, connecting on three 3-pointers in the first five minutes of the game. Mercyhurst, which even briefly led in the quarter, went into the second quarter trailing Iowa State by just two.
“Honestly, I think Mercyhurst did a great job,” said Iowa State guard Kenzie Hare. “They hit some tough shots. But, defensively, we had to be a little bit more disciplined.”
Iowa State Cyclones’ guard Reese Beaty (1) drives with the ball between Mercyhurst Lakers guard Lena Walz (2) and guard Julia Lewis (3)during the first quarter in the regular season NCAA women’s basketball on Nov. 23, 2025 in Ames, Iowa
The Cyclones eventually took over. Iowa State scored the first 10 points of the second quarter and took a commanding 36-24 lead. The lead grew even more with a crazy 7-0 run. During the run, Williams was whistled for a lane violation on the second of two free-throw attempts by Brown. Then Beaty was called for an offensive foul when she knocked down an opposing player on her way across court with the ball.
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She quickly made for it on the next possession with the steal and cross-court layup. The big basket gave 41-26 lead and ignited the announced crowd of 9,581 fans who had turned their boos from the offensive foul into cheers for the layup. Hare compared it to the excitement Iowa State generated during its first game of the season when an arena filled with kids cheered after the Cyclones reached 67 points on the day. Hare was just happy to help.
“You can’t control what happens in the game so I’m just doing what I can to get momentum back,” Beaty said. “It just makes you want to lock it even more on defense.”
Beaty wasn’t done. The freshman connected on four free throws and a layup as Iowa State closed out the quarter with a 9-0 run to go into halftime with a 58-33 lead. Beaty had nine points in the second quarter alone. Fennelly, who has been impressed with how Beaty has adapted so quickly to the college game, has raved about her toughness. Beaty’s ability to handle the ball, get big buckets and play defense, give the Cyclones another option at the guard spot. She also brings some much-needed toughness to the team.
“She’s a huge part of our team,” Fennelly said. “And she’s proven that over seven games and I think her role is going to get even more important.”
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The Cyclones didn’t let up. Iowa State outscored Mercyhurst 32-9 in the second quarter. Meanwhile, Beaty got plenty of help. Crooks finished with 27 points and four rebounds. Brown added 11 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Crooks hit a jumper and knocked down a pair of free throws as Iowa State scored the first 13 points of the third quarter. Arianna Jackson hit a 3-pointer to give the Cyclones a 71-33 lead.
Iowa State was rolling so well that Fennelly started emptying his bench with around eight minutes left. Jackson finished with 12 points. Sydney Harris added 11 off the bench for the Cyclones. But it was Beaty who got things going for the Cyclones with the strong second quarter.
“I feel like the second quarter, starting off, the defensive intensity was a lot better,” Beaty said. “Things happen that didn’t go our way but we still battled through it.”
The Cyclones now prepare for their biggest test of the season, playing in the Coconut Hoops event in Fort Myers, Fla. Iowa State plays Marquette on Nov. 28 and either Indiana or Gonzaga on Nov. 30. The tough games will be the toughest tasks of the season so far for the Cyclones who have yet to face a really difficult foe outside of in-state rival Drake.
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“We’re ready for it,” Fennelly said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen but we’re ready for it.”
Tommy Birch, the Register’s sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He’s the 2018, 2020 and 2023 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Reese Beaty’s big game leads Iowa State to win over Mercyhurst
