Oklahoma State Sends a Message with Statement Win Over Cincinnati
The Cowgirls didn’t just open Big 12 play with a win - they kicked the door down.
Oklahoma State rolled into Cincinnati and left no doubt about the firepower they’re bringing into conference play, cruising to a 91-63 win behind a record-setting performance from Haleigh Timmer and another strong outing from Micah Gray.
This is a team that can beat you in a dozen different ways. Seven Cowgirls came into the game averaging double figures, but on this night, they only needed three to do the heavy lifting. And when one of them gets hot - really hot - it can get out of hand fast.
Timmer Time: A Career Night from Deep
If OSU was looking to make a statement, Haleigh Timmer made it in bold, all-caps, underlined.
Coming off a rough shooting night against Tulsa, Timmer came out with something to prove. She wasted no time heating up, drilling five of her first six shots from beyond the arc in the opening quarter.
And she didn’t cool off. In the third quarter, she knocked down all four of her three-point attempts, finishing the night with a career-high 35 points.
She went 10-for-13 from deep - tying an Oklahoma State record - and did it with the kind of rhythm and confidence that makes you wonder if the rim looked twice as big to her.
Micah Gray Joins the 1,500 Club
After Timmer’s first-quarter barrage, it was Micah Gray’s turn to take over. The junior guard continued her torrid stretch with her fourth straight 20-point game, dropping 21 on 7-of-14 shooting. She added four made free throws and scored nine of her points in the second quarter, helping OSU pull away for good.
Gray also hit a milestone of her own, becoming the newest member of Oklahoma State’s 1,500-point club - a testament to her consistency and offensive polish.
Depth, Defense, and Dominance
While Timmer and Gray carried the scoring load, OSU’s depth still made its presence felt. Lena Girardi chipped in 13 points in just 18 minutes off the bench, including seven in the fourth quarter. Jadyn Wooten added eight points and a game-high seven assists, helping orchestrate an offense that moved the ball well and capitalized on Cincinnati’s mistakes.
And the Cowgirls didn’t just win this game with offense. Their defense in the second quarter was suffocating.
A switch to full-deny pressure completely disrupted Cincinnati’s rhythm and led to three quick turnovers that sparked a 13-3 run. OSU turned 18 Bearcat turnovers into 23 points - a massive swing in a game where momentum was already tilting in their favor.
Glass Cleaners: OSU Wins the Rebounding Battle
If there was one area that Cincinnati had a statistical edge coming in, it was on the boards. The Bearcats led the Big 12 in offensive rebounds per game and hadn’t been out-rebounded all season.
That streak ended here.
Oklahoma State dominated the glass, out-rebounding Cincinnati 40-27 and grabbing 19 offensive boards to the Bearcats’ 13. That led to 12 more shot attempts and a 23-16 edge in second-chance points - a clear sign that the Cowgirls were winning the hustle plays, too.
Achol Akot led the way with 12 rebounds, anchoring the interior and adding six points in the process.
Even Without Heard’s Scoring, OSU Rolls
Stailee Heard had an unusually quiet night - scoreless on 0-for-5 shooting - but still found ways to impact the game. She didn’t force shots and continued to facilitate for her teammates, a sign of maturity from a player who’s used to being a go-to scorer. While her scoring has dipped in recent weeks, her presence on the floor still matters, and OSU didn’t need her to press the issue in a game that was well in hand.
Cincinnati’s Bright Spot and Frustration
The Bearcats had a few individual highlights despite the lopsided result. Mya Perry reached the 1,000-point milestone for her career with a deep three - though her celebration drew a technical foul, a frustrating moment in an already uphill battle. Freshman Joya Crawford continued her recent surge, setting a career high for the second straight game with 18 points on 14 shots.
But short-handed and outmatched, Cincinnati couldn’t keep up. Down four rotation players, the Bearcats had little margin for error - and OSU made sure to exploit every inch of it.
What’s Next
With the win, Oklahoma State improves to 12-2 and starts Big 12 play 1-0. Cincinnati drops to 5-8 (0-1 Big 12).
The Cowgirls will now get a 10-day break over the holidays before returning home to host Baylor on Dec. 31. If this performance is any indication, they’ll enter that matchup with momentum - and a warning shot already fired to the rest of the conference.