JimBob
02-06-2008, 07:15 AM
Cowgirls hold off Baylor
By LYNN JACOBSEN World Sports Writer
2/6/2008
A pair of 14-0 runs help O-State down No. 5 Bears.
STILLWATER -- Oklahoma State made the most of its home court advantage Tuesday as the No. 17 Cowgirls posted a 77-67 victory over No. 5 Baylor before 3,438 fans.
How they did it was impressive.
Despite a sub-par first half by superstar guard Andrea Riley (1-for-10 from the field and 0-for-6 from 3-point range) the Cowgirls went into intermission on a pair of 14-0 runs.
Maria Cordero scored 10 while Shaunte' Smith and Danielle Green recorded six apiece.
Over the final four minutes of the half, Taylor Hardeman hit two baskets sandwiched around five free throws, and baskets from Kristin Hernandez and Smith gave the home team a 39-26 halftime lead.
With the win, Oklahoma State (18-3 overall, 6-2 Big 12) snapped Baylor's 13-game win streak and left the Bears (20-2) with their first conference loss in nine games.
"I thought we came and competed," Oklahoma State coach Kurt Budke said. "That's what you have to do against Baylor. Nobody's team plays harder than Baylor. We challenged our girls that if we came in and didn't play a hard-nose tough style, we would get beat."
It was the Cowgirls' second win over a Top 10 opponent at Gallagher-Iba in three weeks.
"They're both big," Budke said of the victories over then No. 6 Oklahoma and Tuesday night's win over Baylor.
"Anytime you beat a great coach like Kim Mulkey, it's big. She's the only one (in the Big 12) to win a national championship. It's an impressive win for our program."
The Cowgirls did it with outstanding post play, something that has at times been shaky for them.
Cordero and Smith recorded double-doubles. Cordero finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Smith had 10 points and 16 rebounds. Both rebound achievements were career-highs.
"I'm very proud of my post players," Budke said. "I'm very proud to have five players in double figures."
Green led the way for Oklahoma State with 16 points. Andrea Riley finished with 15, six assists and five steals.
"They play with a lot of emotion in this building," Mulkey said. "It's a great atmosphere. They are very physical. We hung in, then got into foul trouble.
"Credit (Oklahoma State). When somebody whips my butt I like to credit the opponent. Credit them for everything we did bad tonight."
Jessica Morrow led all scorers with 24 points. The Baylor junior was 5-of-7 from 3-point range. Angela Tisdale added 19, seven coming at the free throw line. Melissa Jones, starting in place of injured forward Jhasmin Player, finished with nine points and 11 rebounds.
Mulkey refused to blame the loss on the absence of Player.
"It did deplete our bench but it wasn't why we lost," she said. "The difference in the game was our post players were nonexistent. The shots they did have, they didn't make. They got manhandled."
Mulkey also discounted the Riley factor.
"She was not the difference in the game," Mulkey said. "Look at what those other ones did."
Oklahoma State outrebounded the visitors 56-43, including 20 offensive boards. It was the most rebounds by a Baylor opponent this year.
By LYNN JACOBSEN World Sports Writer
2/6/2008
A pair of 14-0 runs help O-State down No. 5 Bears.
STILLWATER -- Oklahoma State made the most of its home court advantage Tuesday as the No. 17 Cowgirls posted a 77-67 victory over No. 5 Baylor before 3,438 fans.
How they did it was impressive.
Despite a sub-par first half by superstar guard Andrea Riley (1-for-10 from the field and 0-for-6 from 3-point range) the Cowgirls went into intermission on a pair of 14-0 runs.
Maria Cordero scored 10 while Shaunte' Smith and Danielle Green recorded six apiece.
Over the final four minutes of the half, Taylor Hardeman hit two baskets sandwiched around five free throws, and baskets from Kristin Hernandez and Smith gave the home team a 39-26 halftime lead.
With the win, Oklahoma State (18-3 overall, 6-2 Big 12) snapped Baylor's 13-game win streak and left the Bears (20-2) with their first conference loss in nine games.
"I thought we came and competed," Oklahoma State coach Kurt Budke said. "That's what you have to do against Baylor. Nobody's team plays harder than Baylor. We challenged our girls that if we came in and didn't play a hard-nose tough style, we would get beat."
It was the Cowgirls' second win over a Top 10 opponent at Gallagher-Iba in three weeks.
"They're both big," Budke said of the victories over then No. 6 Oklahoma and Tuesday night's win over Baylor.
"Anytime you beat a great coach like Kim Mulkey, it's big. She's the only one (in the Big 12) to win a national championship. It's an impressive win for our program."
The Cowgirls did it with outstanding post play, something that has at times been shaky for them.
Cordero and Smith recorded double-doubles. Cordero finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Smith had 10 points and 16 rebounds. Both rebound achievements were career-highs.
"I'm very proud of my post players," Budke said. "I'm very proud to have five players in double figures."
Green led the way for Oklahoma State with 16 points. Andrea Riley finished with 15, six assists and five steals.
"They play with a lot of emotion in this building," Mulkey said. "It's a great atmosphere. They are very physical. We hung in, then got into foul trouble.
"Credit (Oklahoma State). When somebody whips my butt I like to credit the opponent. Credit them for everything we did bad tonight."
Jessica Morrow led all scorers with 24 points. The Baylor junior was 5-of-7 from 3-point range. Angela Tisdale added 19, seven coming at the free throw line. Melissa Jones, starting in place of injured forward Jhasmin Player, finished with nine points and 11 rebounds.
Mulkey refused to blame the loss on the absence of Player.
"It did deplete our bench but it wasn't why we lost," she said. "The difference in the game was our post players were nonexistent. The shots they did have, they didn't make. They got manhandled."
Mulkey also discounted the Riley factor.
"She was not the difference in the game," Mulkey said. "Look at what those other ones did."
Oklahoma State outrebounded the visitors 56-43, including 20 offensive boards. It was the most rebounds by a Baylor opponent this year.