STORRS, Conn. — An evenly matched pairing headlines the first round of the NCAA Women’s Tournament as No. 8 seed Iowa State meets No. 9 seed Syracuse on Saturday at Gampel Pavilion.

Both teams enter with similar résumés. Iowa State is 22-9 overall after a 10-8 finish in the Big 12, while Syracuse carries a 23-8 record and a 12-6 mark in the ACC.

The matchup features contrasting strengths, beginning with Iowa State’s interior presence led by junior center Audi Crooks. Crooks averages 25.5 points per game while shooting 64.7% from the field and has scored in double figures in 97 consecutive games. She posted a school-record 47-point performance earlier this season.

Crooks said execution has been key to her success in March.

“It’s really just staying locked in, and our team be willing to execute our game plans and our matchups,” Crooks said.

She is complemented by guard Jada Williams, who averages 15.3 points and 7.7 assists per game, and forward Addy Brown, who contributes 12.3 points, 8.9 rebounds and 5.2 assists. Brown returned late in the season after missing 11 games due to injury.

Brown said the postseason provides a reset.

“It’s a fresh start. Coming into it, we’re 0-0,” she said. “We’re going to come into it with a fresh mindset.”

Syracuse counters with a balanced approach, led by freshman forward Uche Izoje. The ACC Rookie of the Year averages 15.5 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game while shooting 55.6% from the field. She has recorded 14 double-doubles this season.

Syracuse head coach Felisha Legette-Jack emphasized the collective nature of her team.

“It’s going to take our collective effort to beat a great team,” she said.

Guard Laila Phelia adds 13.7 points per game, while Sophie Burrows contributes 11.2 points and 5.8 rebounds. The Orange rank among the nation’s best on the glass, averaging 16.8 offensive rebounds per game and 42.1 rebounds overall.

“That’s going to be a problem for us,” Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly said of Syracuse’s rebounding and post play.

The Orange have also shown improvement throughout the season, doubling their ACC win total from a year ago. Syracuse was picked 13th in the preseason ACC poll and earned a No. 9 seed after finishing seventh in the conference tournament.

Historically, Syracuse holds a 2-0 edge in the series, including a first-round NCAA Tournament win in 2017 and a regular-season victory in 2023.

Both teams emphasized preparation during the layoff leading into the tournament. Syracuse used the time to focus on internal improvements, while Iowa State prioritized recovery and additional practice repetitions.

“We’ve had time to work on ourselves and what we need to focus on,” Burrows said.

Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2, with the winner advancing to face the winner of the regional’s top-seeded matchup.