Cowgirls Bounce Back in a Big Way, Drop 90 on Tulsa Ahead of Big 12 Play
Just in time for the start of Big 12 action, Oklahoma State looked every bit the contender they’re aiming to be.
The Cowgirls returned to Gallagher-Iba Arena and put together a dominant 90-58 win over Tulsa in their final nonconference game - and they did it with two of their top players having off nights. That’s the kind of depth and resilience that should catch the rest of the Big 12’s attention.
Coming off a tough Bedlam loss to No. 9 Oklahoma - a game that knocked OSU from No. 23 in the AP Poll to just outside the rankings - this was the kind of response head coach Jacy Hoyt had to love. The Cowgirls didn’t just win, they overwhelmed Tulsa with defensive pressure, balanced scoring, and a second-quarter blitz that essentially ended the game before halftime.
Defense Turns the Tide
Both teams were a little sluggish out of the gate, but Oklahoma State quickly found its rhythm in the second quarter - and it started on the defensive end. The Cowgirls forced 11 turnovers in that frame alone and turned them into 15 points. That pressure sparked a 24-6 run in the quarter, flipping a tight game into a 41-19 OSU lead at the break.
By the final buzzer, OSU had racked up 17 steals and turned 31 Tulsa turnovers into 33 points. That’s a complete reversal from their last outing, when they gave up 27 points on 22 turnovers to OU. This time, they were the aggressors - and it paid off in a big way.
Stars Struggle, Depth Shines
What makes this win even more impressive is who didn’t carry the load.
Stailee Heard, one of OSU’s most dynamic players, battled foul trouble again. She picked up her second foul late in the first quarter and her fourth midway through the third, finishing with just four points on 1-of-5 shooting in a season-low 13 minutes.
Haleigh Timmer, the team’s leading scorer coming in, couldn’t find her rhythm either. She went just 1-for-7 from the field, scoring six points - four of those coming at the free-throw line.
But that’s where the Cowgirls’ depth came into play.
Micah Gray continued her hot streak, leading the way with 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting. That’s her third straight game with 20 or more, and she did it efficiently - hitting all five of her free throws and adding three rebounds for good measure.
Amari Whiting bounced back from a quiet Bedlam performance with a strong showing. The BYU transfer scored 18 points on 12 shots, knocked down three triples, and stuffed the stat sheet with six rebounds, five steals, and two assists. She was everywhere.
Freshman Lena Girardi had her breakout moment, especially in that second quarter. She poured in 12 of her 14 points in that frame, going 3-for-4 from deep and showing why there’s so much buzz about her future in Stillwater.
And then there’s Jadyn Wooten, who continues to be a sparkplug off the bench. She added 13 points and dished out seven assists - padding her already impressive assist numbers that rank among the best in the country.
Tulsa Shows Fight, But OSU Slams the Door
To their credit, Tulsa didn’t fold. The Golden Hurricane clawed back in the third quarter, outscoring OSU by four and twice trimming the deficit to 17. But any momentum they built was short-lived.
The Cowgirls opened the fourth with an 11-0 run to push the lead to 72-43, and that was that. OSU closed strong, reasserting control and finishing the game with the kind of energy and execution that teams want heading into conference play.
What’s Next
With the win, Oklahoma State improves to 11-2 and heads into Big 12 play with some serious momentum. Next up: a road trip to Cincinnati, where they’ll face the Bearcats on Sunday in their conference opener.
If this game was any indication, the Cowgirls are finding their stride - and doing it with more than just their stars. That’s a dangerous combination as the stakes start to rise.