AMES, Iowa (Interstat) — A surging Iowa State team looks to solidify its standing near the top of the Big 12 when it hosts a Kansas State squad seeking a critical road win Sunday at Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones (19-6, 8-4 Big 12) enter the contest having won five of their last seven, while the Wildcats (14-12, 5-7) have alternated wins and losses over their past six games. Iowa State holds a commanding advantage in the conference standings and will rely on its potent home-court advantage, where it is 11-2 this season. Iowa State’s offense runs through standout center Audi Crooks, who is averaging 20.3 points over her last four games. She scored 33 points in a win at Texas Tech on Jan. 28 and posted 26 points in a victory at Utah on Feb. 7. Her matchup in the paint will be pivotal. Kansas State will counter with the hot hand of guard Nastja Claessens, who is coming off a 25-point performance in a rout of BYU on Feb. 7 and an 18-point, 12-rebound double-double in a win at Arizona State on Feb. 1. Her scoring ability will be essential for a Wildcats team that has struggled offensively at times, scoring 61 points or fewer in three of its last five losses. In their most recent outings, Iowa State fell 83-69 at BYU on Tuesday despite 18 points from Crooks. Kansas State defeated Oklahoma State 70-61 on the same afternoon, led by 18 points from Claessens and 16 from Tess Heal. The Wildcats have faced a challenging stretch, with their last five games coming against teams currently ranked or receiving votes. Stealing a road win in a hostile environment like Hilton Coliseum would provide a significant boost to their postseason resume. This is the first of two scheduled meetings between the teams this season. They will meet again in Manhattan, Kansas, on March 1. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. CST Sunday. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.