by STILLWATER – Oklahoma State’s women’s basketball team got back in the win column, beating UCF on Wednesday night at Gallagher-Iba Arena, 67-54.
The Cowgirls improve to 13-13 on the season and 6-9 in conference play with the win, while claiming victories in two of their last three games.
Hannah Gusters and Stailee Heard led OSU with 17 points each. Lior Garzon also added 14 points, five rebounds and five assists for the Cowgirls in 37 minutes.
A high scoring first quarter played back-and-forth, with UCF using a 7-0 run late in the frame to gain an early advantage. The Cowgirls battled back, getting a triple from Garzon in the final minute of the period to take an 18-17 lead.
In the second, OSU used a zone defense to hold the Knights to just 10 points and would take a 37-27 lead into the break. Gusters had 12 points and Heard had 11 at the half.
Oklahoma State opened the third quarter on a 16-2 run to take full command of the game. UCF would score the final seven of the period, but the Cowgirls led 53-36 heading to the fourth.
The Knights faired a little better against the Cowgirls’ zone in the fourth quarter, but it wouldn’t matter as Oklahoma State closed out the 67-54 victory.
OSU finished the game with 20 assists on 27 made baskets while shooting 46% from the field. The Cowgirls also made twice as many threes (8) as the Knights and forced UCF into 19 turnovers in the contest.
