Oklahoma State Cowgirls Disappoint at the Big 12 Women's Tournament
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — For the second season in a row the Oklahoma State Cowgirls are going home from the Big 12 Conference Tournament earlier than they would like. This one could be costly as after earning the double bye for the second season, the Cowgirls lost to No. 12 seed Kansas State 74-73 on Friday in the quarterfinals.
Oklahoma State slipped into a mode of allowing Kansas State to take early control and then play a see-saw contest deep into the game. Oklahoma State had a solid seven-point lead late, but Kansas State used an 11-1 run to take the lead they would ultimately relinquish. The Cowgirls tied the game twice in the final two minutes, but never led.
Kansas State Freshman Jordan Speiser scored 18 of her career-high 21 points in the second half. She was a huge part of the comeback by the Lady Cats. However, it was Tess Heal who was fouled by the Cowgirls top scorer Stailee Heard and made a go-ahead free throw with 1.3 seconds left to put the Lady Cats ahead for good.
Speiser had her three-pointer rattle in with 15.5 seconds left to extend Kansas State's lead to 73-68. Oklahoma State made two free throws to get within three points and the Cowgirls forced a jump ball to regain possession.
Haleigh Timmer made her second 3-pointer in the final minute from the right wing with 4.5 seconds left to tie it at 73. K-State quickly inbounded the ball and Heal was fouled near midcourt leaving Heard shaking her head in disbelief over her mistake. She wasn’t even looking when the first free throw was made before the intentional miss on the second.
Kansas State (18-16) became the first No. 12 seed to ever advance to the semifinals of the women's Big 12 Tournament.
Stailee Heard led Oklahoma State (23-9) with 18 points. Jadyn Wooten added 16 points, Timmer finished with 13 and Amari Whiting had 12.
Oklahoma State heads home to wait and see what its fate will be with the selection committee. Most likely it will be a spot in an eight-nine game that will leave them facing, if they win, a top seed on their home floor and an almost impossible task.
