Image Source: Jared Larson
Key Takeaways
- Oklahoma State’s sharp shooting from deep led to a 86-58 win over No. 19 Iowa State
- The Cowgirls shot 37.8% from three-point land, connecting on 14 three-pointers
- Stailee Heard had a game-high 18 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists for a triple-double
- Iowa State’s Audi Crooks and Jada Williams finished with 15 points each
- The Cyclones will return home to face Cincinnati on Wednesday
Introduction to the Game
The Oklahoma State Cowgirls proved to be too much for the No. 19 Iowa State Cyclones, winning 86-58 at Gallagher-Iba Arena on Sunday afternoon. As the Cowgirls’ coach noted, "we came out and shot the ball well, and that opened up a lot of things for us." The game started off with an Audi Crooks layup just 24 seconds in, but the Cowgirls quickly took control with their successful shooting from beyond the arc. Oklahoma State shot 37.8% from three-point land, connecting on 14 of them, which proved to be a significant factor in their win. As Stailee Heard, the Cowgirls’ star player, said, "we knew we had to come out and shoot the ball well, and we did that."
First Half Dominance
The Cowgirls started off the game a bit slow, but heated up very quickly, shooting 43.9% from the field. Stailee Heard went for a game-high 18 points and also tallied a triple-double, as she pulled down 17 rebounds and dished out 10 assists. Micah Gray opened up the game for the hosts with a 3-point basket and continued to let them fly all game, connecting on four of seven attempts. The Cyclones trailed by three with 6:48 remaining in the first half, 17-14, but over the next 3:22 of play, the Cowgirls went on a 13-0 run. As the Cowgirls’ coach noted, "we went on a run, and that really hurt them." Crooks went 1-for-2 at the line with 3:07 remaining in the first half, bringing the Cyclones within 15 – 30-15 – the closest they’d get for the remainder of the game.
Third Quarter Surge
In the third quarter, the Cyclones trimmed their 22-point halftime deficit to 51-35, but Haleigh Timmer answered with 10 points during a 15-0 run that pushed the lead to 66-35 by the end of the period. The Cowgirls’ shooting from deep continued to be a major factor, as they connected on several three-pointers to extend their lead. As Heard said, "we knew we had to keep shooting the ball well, and we did that." The Cyclones, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm, with Jada Williams and Audi Crooks being the only players to score in double figures.
Fourth Quarter and Final Thoughts
Jada Williams scored the first seven points of the fourth quarter for the Cyclones, but by then, Iowa State trailed 69-42. Crooks scored her final two points of the day at the charity stripe with 6:17 remaining, and Freya Jensen added a 3-point basket with 1:42 remaining for the Cyclones. The game ended with a final score of 86-58 in favor of the Cowgirls. As the Cyclones’ coach noted, "we just couldn’t stop them, and they shot the ball really well." The Cyclones will look to bounce back from this loss as they return home to face Cincinnati on Wednesday. As Heard said, "we’re feeling confident, and we’re looking forward to our next game."
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Oklahoma State Cowgirls’ sharp shooting from deep proved to be too much for the No. 19 Iowa State Cyclones, leading to a 86-58 win. The Cowgirls’ Stailee Heard had a game-high 18 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists for a triple-double, while the Cyclones’ Audi Crooks and Jada Williams finished with 15 points each. The Cyclones will look to regroup and come back strong as they face Cincinnati on Wednesday. As the Cowgirls’ coach noted, "we’re feeling good about where we are, and we’re looking forward to our next game."
https://www.widerightnattylite.com/iowa-state-womens-basketball/50291/no-19-iowa-state-falls-in-fifth-straight-game