Oklahoma State Opens With 42-Point Win Over Southern

Oklahoma State opened its season with a commanding win, pulling away for an 81-39 victory over Southern at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater on November 2. Crooks, a transfer from Iowa State and the Big 12 preseason player of the year, led the Cowgirls with 22 points, shooting 9-for-10 from the field in 24 minutes. Nene Ndiaye added 16 points, while Stailee Heard scored 12.

The Cowgirls took control early, scoring 19 of the game’s first 23 points and leading 25-13 after the first quarter. They carried a 46-23 advantage into halftime, then outscored Southern 20-4 in the third. Oklahoma State finished with a 54-30 rebounding edge and 12 steals. Southern shot 25.4% from the field and committed 18 turnovers. Zaria Hurston had 10 points for the Jaguars, the defending Southwestern Athletic Conference champions.

Liv McGill returned to the lineup after missing the exhibition game and contributed seven points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Yuting Deng, who started, had 12 rebounds. Callin Hake made her Oklahoma State debut, scoring nine points on three 3-pointers and adding four assists and three steals in 21 minutes. Coach Jacie Hoyt used 11 players as Oklahoma State began a season in which it is the Big 12 preseason favorite.

Southern is scheduled to play at No. 23 Illinois on November 7, while Oklahoma State’s next game is at home against Morgan State on November 6.