The Cowgirls had one last opportunity to impress the NCAA Selection Committee, and they made it count in a big way.
In a thrilling showdown, Oklahoma State took down Iowa State 88-77 on Wednesday night in Ames. The game was neck and neck through the first three quarters, with both teams deadlocked at each break. But the Cowgirls found another gear in the fourth quarter, silencing the crowd at Hilton Coliseum.
Coming off a tough 72-40 loss at West Virginia, where they recorded their lowest score and a dismal 23.1% shooting performance, the Cowgirls were eager to bounce back. The start was shaky, missing their first five shots, including four from beyond the arc.
Yet, persistence paid off as they found their rhythm, going 12-for-22 from deep after that initial slump. A crucial steal and jumper by Jadyn Wooten in the closing seconds of the first quarter tied the game at 18, setting the tone for the rest of the night.
Iowa State managed to pull ahead by seven in the second quarter, but the Cowgirls clawed back, tying the game with three minutes left in the half. A jumper from the Cyclones’ Jada Williams brought it to 35-all just before the break.
The third quarter was a nail-biter, with neither team gaining more than a five-point advantage. Achol Akot’s layup in the final second ensured the score was tied heading into the fourth.
Projected as an 8 seed by ESPN’s Bracketology, the Cowgirls needed this win, especially with just one home game against Kansas remaining before the conference tournament in Kansas City. They seized the moment, securing another crucial Quad 1 victory.
Akot was outstanding, leading all scorers with a career-high 25 points on 14 shots and grabbing 10 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season. Stailee Heard also shone brightly, contributing a 20-point double-double, including 22 points and 14 rebounds, while hitting 5-of-10 from three-point range.
While Akot and Heard set the pace early, it was a collective effort that clinched the game late. Amari Whiting was perfect in the final quarter, scoring seven of her nine points in just five minutes. Micah Gray added six points, going 2-for-2 in the fourth.
Wooten made a strong return, scoring 13 points and dishing out five assists after missing the previous game against West Virginia.
With the score tied at 64-64 and 8:26 remaining, the Cowgirls launched a decisive 10-0 run. Although the Cyclones tried to rally, OSU responded with six straight points to lead 80-68 with just over three minutes left, maintaining control until the final buzzer. The Cowgirls shot an impressive 8-for-12 in the last quarter.
This victory lifts the Cowgirls to 22-8 overall and 11-6 in Big 12 play. They’ll wrap up their regular season with a home game against Kansas, setting the stage for a thrilling conference tournament.
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