by CINCINNATI, Ohio – A costly turnover down the stretch cost Oklahoma State’s women’s basketball team in its 58-56 road loss to Cincinnati Wednesday night.
It was the second ever meeting between the programs and first since 1995, as Cincinnati’s win evened the series at 1-1. The loss marked the second straight for the Cowgirls while dropping them to 11-8 on the season and 4-4 in conference play.
Oklahoma State shot just 34% from the field and 29% from three, but the Cowgirls were able to hold Cincinnati to 33% from the field and 31% from three to keep the game close.
Stailee Heard led all scorers, pairing 14 points will 11 rebounds to secure her second career double double. Hannah Gusters added 13 points and seven rebounds while Anna Gret Asi posted 12 points and five assists.
The Cowgirls struggled offensively from the tip, managing only nine points in the opening quarter, with eight coming from Heard. The Bearcats would take a 12-9 advantage into the second.
OSU opened the second quarter on a 9-1 run, getting three baskets inside from Gusters and three more points at the free throw line from Heard and Quincy Noble. Cincinnati responded with a 15-3 run of their own and would take a 30-25 lead into the halftime break.
Oklahoma State once again put together a run to open a quarter, this time going on a 12-2 run to begin the third. The Cowgirls got to the free throw line 10 times, making seven, in the period and sent the game into the fourth tied at 42.
In the fourth, OSU made three field goals in the first 4:10 quarter, with all of them being triples from Asi. The Cowgirls would have a chance to take the lead in the final seconds, but a Malea Williams steal and layup sealed the Cincinnati win.
