Achol Akot’s Record-Setting Day Leads to Cowgirls to 112-62 Blowout Win Over ORU
Oklahoma State beat Oral Roberts 112-62 on Sunday at Gallagher-Iba Arena on Native American Heritage Day for Cowgirl basketball. It was the third time in four games this season that the Cowgirls scored more than 100 points.
“Tonight was really fun for us,” coach Jacie Hoyt said. “We play every Division One team in Oklahoma this year and we talked about wanting to kick that off in a great way and we certainly did that right from the jump tonight.”
The festivities of the day were designed to honor the state’s Indigenous heritage. The Cowgirls on the court contributed by setting records.
Oklahoma State scored a program record 37 points in the first quarter.
“Schematically their defense was out a little more in the passing lanes,” Hoyt said. “Typically we’ve gotten out to hot starts by hitting threes, but tonight our kids were really good at cutting to the open spot and finding each other.”
Forward Achol Akot also set her personal record with 23 points.
“The last three nights there has been help underneath,” Akot said. “If they don’t have help underneath, I know I’m a good enough player to up and finish the ball.”
Oklahoma State’s offense was efficient. The Cowgirls registered 17 assists on 26 made baskets and shot 70 percent from the field in the first half.
“We have so many weapons, but it’s all about the selflessness,” Hoyt said. “The mindset that our kids have right now is what is going to make us hard to defend all season long.”
Defensively the Cowgirls did not give up a three-pointer until three minutes were left in the game and forced the Golden Eagles into 18 turnovers.
“One thing that happened tonight that hasn’t happened before was learning who players match up with in different ways,” Hoyt said. “We’re figuring out how to use our depth to throw different looks at people.”
The Cowgirls depth once again played a large role in the team’s success. All 10 players who played entered the scoring column. Seven players had double digits.
“It’s a great feeling,” Hoyt said. “It’s really hard for teams to play against and ultimately I think is what is going to get us where we want to go.”
Hoyt said that her team has continued to improve through a busy first week of games, something she hopes to see continued through the nonconference schedule.
“The players are eager to get better,” Hoyt said. “There’s definitely areas where we still need to get better, but we identify those areas and then the kids go out and do it.”
