Oklahoma State dismantled No. 16 Texas Tech, 75-65, on Saturday in Stillwater, and the margin doesn’t tell the full story.
The Cowgirls outscored the Lady Raiders 22-9 in the second quarter, held them scoreless for the final 3:18 of the first half, and never looked threatened in the second half. Texas Tech, a team that started this season 19-0, has now dropped four games since that unbeaten run ended in mid-January.
Texas Tech’s Perimeter Struggles Are Real
Texas Tech went 0-for-7 from three in the second quarter. That’s not a shooting slump. That’s a systemic problem.
The Lady Raiders entered Saturday’s game as one of the Big 12’s better three-point shooting teams, ranking sixth in the conference in makes per game. But against Oklahoma State’s aggressive defense, they couldn’t generate clean looks. The Cowgirls rotated sharply on the perimeter, closing out hard without fouling, and Tech’s shooters settled for contested attempts that clanged off iron.
Bailey Maupin scored 19 points, and Snudda Collins added 18 off the bench, but both struggled to get into rhythm early. By the time they found their footing in the second half, the damage was done. Tech cut the deficit to seven to open the third quarter, but Oklahoma State responded with an 8-0 run that effectively ended any comeback hopes.
The numbers are stark: Tech shot 41% from the floor while the Cowgirls connected on 54% of their attempts. Oklahoma State made eight three-pointers. Tech finished with four.
For a team that many projected as a top-15 squad entering February, this is a concerning pattern. The close losses to BYU and Kansas State earlier in conference play looked like growing pains. Saturday’s loss looked like a team that doesn’t have answers when opponents take away their first option.
Oklahoma State’s Depth Makes the Cowgirls Dangerous
Jacie Hoyt’s roster construction is paying dividends. The Cowgirls have six players averaging double figures this season, and five of them scored in double figures against Texas Tech.
Jadyn Wooten led the way with 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting while adding seven assists. Amari Whiting posted her second double-double of the year with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Achol Akot and Haleigh Timmer added 13 and 12 points, respectively. Stailee Heard also scored 12 points.
That kind of balance creates matchup nightmares. You can game plan to stop one scorer. You can’t game plan to stop five.
Oklahoma State improved to 20-7 overall and 9-5 in Big 12 play, marking the Cowgirls’ second consecutive 20-win season. The win also marked the Cowgirls’ second victory over a ranked opponent this season, and their dominance at Gallagher-Iba Arena continues. OSU is 31-2 at home over the past two seasons under Hoyt.
The fourth-year coach has built something real in Stillwater. When she arrived, Oklahoma State wasn’t a program anyone circled on the schedule. Now they’re a team that can hang 75 on a ranked opponent while shooting 54% from the floor.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
Texas Tech falls to 23-4 overall and 10-4 in conference play. The Lady Raiders host No. 15 Baylor on Wednesday in a game that suddenly carries significant weight. Another loss, and the narrative around this team shifts from “contender” to “overrated” heading into March.
Oklahoma State, meanwhile, followed Saturday’s win with a dominant 73-55 victory over Utah on Monday afternoon. The Cowgirls forced 24 turnovers and had five players score in double figures again, improving to 21-7 on the season. The win gave the Cowgirls momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
In a Big 12 loaded with contenders, Oklahoma State isn’t just surviving. They’re making noise. And after this weekend, the rest of the conference should be paying attention.