Crooks, Cowgirls As Dominant As Advertised In Season Opener Against Southern
Fans were finally able to see months of hype take the court. Oklahoma State beat Southern 81-39 on Monday evening’ season opener at Gallagher-Iba Arena. It was the lowest number of points allowed by the Cowgirls in a home opener under coach Jacie Hoyt.
“It was great to just finally get out there and showcase the hard work we’ve been putting in,” Hoyt said. “Overall the game was a little bit sticky and it was hard to get into a rhythm but I think we had some really good moments.”
Highly-touted transfer center Audi Crooks led the Cowgirls in scoring with 22 points which included 13 points in the first half on 6-for-7 shooting. She got the offensive rebound on her only miss and scored on the putback. It was Crooks’ 99th straight double-digit scoring game.
“I was just excited to be up there playing with my teammates,” Crooks said. “We had our ups and downs but overall it was fun.”
Crooks led a new offensive philosophy for the Cowgirls. 24 of OSU’s 46 first-half points came from inside the paint. Hoyt’s previous teams have had a more perimeter-based attack.
“We thought they were going to throw on the full court press that they’re known for but then they threw a zone at us,” Crooks said. “We ran more halfcourt and the pace was maybe a little slower than what we prepared for.”
The Cowgirls went 8-29 from three and went without a made three-pointer from the 4:33 mark of the first quarter and 6:31 in the third quarter. Nebraska transfer Callin Hake hit the shots on both ends of that span. Hake finished 3-10 from distance and had nine points.
“Callin is a key player for us,” Hoyt said. “She just brings so much to us and she’s going to be asked to do even more as the season goes on.”
Nene Ndiaye and Stailee Heard were the other Cowgirls in double figures. In total all 11 Cowgirls who suited for the game played.
Unselfish play has been a staple of Hoyt’s teams since she took over in Stillwater. The Cowgirls had 19 assists against the Lady Jaguars. Florida transfer Liv McGill had 5 of them to accompany her 7 points and 10 rebounds.
OSU held the Lady Jaguars to 25 % shooting. Last season Southern shot 37% on route to a SWAC tournament championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. The percentage discrepancy included a 20-4 scoring mismatch for the Cowgirls in the third quarter.
“I’ve been saying that Southern is a good team and I certainly wasn’t overlooking them,” Hoyt said. “They beat a couple Big 12 teams last season and have made the tournament. I just have so much respect for them.”
Oklahoma State is now 34-2 at home in the last two seasons.
“We’re trying to take the next step as a program and I feel like we have the talent to do it,” Hoyt said. “As high as everyone’s expectations are they’re higher in our locker room.”
