Cowgirls and Heard Kick the Offense in Gear Second Half to Earn Semifinal Berth at Big 12
(The Big 12 Conference contributed to this story.)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – It wasn’t easy. The new Nike shooting shirts for the postseason that ready “nothing easy” were perfect for the situation on Friday night as the No. 21 Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the No. 3 seed in the Big 12 Tournament became the last team to take the new “12” floor in the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Waiting for OSU were the Texas Tech Lady Raiders, who have designated the Cowgirls as their new bitter rival. Texas Tech held the lead throughout the first half and looked good at halftime leading the defensive struggle 28-24. It did not last as Stailee Heard came on in the second half and wound up with a career high tying 34 points, both against Texas Tech, and this time it led to a 62-59 hold your breath win.
The finish was the story as Oklahoma State took the lead and was maintaining a four-point advantage in the final minute and half until the Lady Raiders Jasmine Shavers caught the ball in the far corner baseline and buried a three to close the game to make it 59-57. The foul shooting contest picked back up from that point on as Heard knocked down a pair of free throws to make it 61-57. OSU’s Alexia Smith fouled Bailey Maupin and she made them both to push it back to two at 61-59.
Texas Tech had a shot to tie, but Shavers, who had 16 points missed the short jumper and Tenin Magassa got the rebound and was immediately fouled. She hit the first of two and then missed giving Tech a chance. The three from way out was missed by Jade Wynn and the game was over.
This was a defensive grinder as the two teams were tied at 8-8 after one. It was 28-24 at half and then things loosened up. Anna Gret Asi hit a three-pointer to open the second half scoring. Then heard hit a layup and shortly after downed a pair of free throws. Heard hit a three-pointer late in the third to put Oklahoma State up 39-38, but Tech led 40-39 going to the fourth.
“I tried to be a scorer and let the ball fly,” Heard said of the play early. “They were taking away the drive and they had two games in this gym, so they had taken a lot of shots. We knew shots would fall this game and it just took some time.”
In the fourth quarter, Heard had 15 of her 34 points to set the Cowgirls up in the final minutes to battle for the win. Oklahoma State only shot 30 percent from the field, while Tech was almost 40 percent. The Cowgirls outrebounded Tech 40-31 and went to the line more than double the Lady Raiders and were 22-of-29 at the stripe.
“Honestly, just discipline and sticking to our principles,” Heard said in postgame made the difference. “Make it tough for them, every shot they take. Just make it tough for them. We knew it was going to be a dogfight. This is March and nothing is going to be easy.”
The Cowgirls are now 25-5 and will play second seed Baylor in the second semifinal on Saturday. Baylor beat Iowa State 69-63 and they are 26-6. Oklahoma State beat Baylor 84-61 in Waco, Texas way back on Jan. 1.
“It means everything and we have to fight for everything,” Heard summed it up for her team. “We got picked 11th (preseason) and we took it personal. We just worked everyday and it takes everything. It is hardfought and we have girls that care and want to win. We’ll play for each other and play for our coaches.”
Stay tough, stay disciplined, and keep that boulder of a chip on your shoulder, that’s what the Cowgirls need to do.
