AMES, Iowa (Interstat) — An in-state showdown with vastly different trajectories arrives at Hilton Coliseum on Sunday as the undefeated and fifth-ranked Iowa State women’s basketball team hosts the struggling Northern Iowa Panthers. The Cyclones (11-0), fresh off a marquee 74-69 victory over rival Iowa, have been a powerhouse, winning every game by double digits except the tight battle with the Hawkeyes. Their offense, averaging over 91 points per game, runs through dominant center Audi Crooks. The junior is coming off a 30-point performance against Iowa and has been nearly unstoppable, including a 47-point outburst at Indiana on Nov. 30. Northern Iowa (4-5) enters on a two-game skid, including a last-second 59-57 home loss to South Dakota State on Wednesday. The Panthers have shown resilience, with three road wins, but have struggled against high-major competition, falling 74-41 to Iowa last month. A key matchup will be in the paint, where UNI’s Ryley Goebel will face the daunting task of containing Crooks. Goebel, a versatile forward, is the Panthers’ engine, averaging 13.6 points and leading the team in rebounds and blocks. She posted a triple-double (16 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks) at Northern Arizona on Nov. 26 and blocked five shots against South Dakota State. Iowa State’s firepower extends beyond Crooks. Addy Brown, who had 20 points and five assists against Iowa, and transfer guard Jada Williams, who dished 12 assists in that game, provide dynamic perimeter play. The Cyclones have scored 105 or more points three times this season. For Northern Iowa to challenge, they must control the tempo, leverage Goebel’s defensive presence and find consistent scoring beyond her. Guards Elise Jaeger and Taryn Wharton will need to connect from outside. The game tips off at 2 p.m. CST Sunday at Hilton Coliseum. Iowa State begins Big 12 play next Sunday against Kansas, while Northern Iowa visits Saint Thomas (Minn.) on Dec. 21.