The Oklahoma State Cowgirls delivered a standout performance in Ames, securing an 88-77 victory over the Iowa State Cyclones. This win not only completed their season sweep of the Cyclones but also marked their first Quad 1 victory of the season. The Cowgirls turned up the heat in the final quarter, outscoring Iowa State 28-17 to seal the deal.
With just one regular-season game left, Oklahoma State boasts a 22-8 overall record and an 11-6 mark in Big 12 play. They’re set to host Kansas on Saturday night before heading to Kansas City for the Big 12 Tournament.
Under the guidance of Jacie Hoyt, the Cowgirls sit at No. 28 in the NET Rankings. They’re eyeing an improvement in their standings as they gear up for the NCAA Tournament. Currently, they’re in a three-way tie for fourth in the Big 12 standings with Colorado and Texas Tech, although Colorado holds the tiebreaker advantage.
Jacie Hoyt shared her thoughts following the victory, expressing immense pride in her team’s performance. She highlighted the challenging environment of playing in Ames, acknowledging the formidable crowd and strong coaching on the opposing side. Hoyt emphasized her team’s resilience and poise, especially in responding to Iowa State’s runs, and noted the significance of this win in building momentum.
Hoyt’s opening statement after the game captured her sentiments: "I'm just proud of my team and the way we stuck together in such a tough environment against such a great team. I believe this is the toughest place to play in the league.
The crowd is unreal. The fanbase is unreal.
The coaching is unreal. I've got so much respect for coach and the way he does things.
So much of what I do is what I've learned from watching him. To get this win is just incredibly impactful for our team in so many ways.
Overall, the word that keeps coming in my mind is 'proud.' Just a very proud coach.
I thought that our team was incredible with the response that they had. Anytime Iowa State made a run, I thought we were poised and had all the intangibles tonight.
Coming off of the loss we were coming off of, that is easier said than done. I'm just really proud tonight."