The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
22-1, 11-1
Oklahoma State
18-5, 8-4
No. 6 Women's Basketball pushes past Oklahoma State, 70-55
02.10.2016 | Women's Basketball
Sophomore Brooke McCarty led the Longhorns with 18 points.
AUSTIN, Texas— Sophomore Brooke McCarty tallied 18 points and a Big 12 career-high three steals to lead No. 6/5 Texas over No. 20/24 Oklahoma State, 70-55, in front of 2,638 fans inside the Frank Erwin Center on Wednesday night.
With the win, the Longhorns (22-1, 11-1 Big 12 Conference) ended the Cowgirls' six-game winning streak and move to 5-1 against ranked opponents this season. Texas leads the all-time series against Oklahoma State, 29-15, and has won four of the last five meetings.
"I am really pleased with this win," Texas head coach Karen Aston said. "I think Oklahoma State played really good basketball, and I think they are a really good team. They are constantly putting pressure on you to defend and to pay attention on defense. I thought we were really solid defensively. We are getting into a flow that is pretty good."
McCarty's 18 points came behind a 7-of-10 effort from the field and a 4-of-5 effort from the charity stripe. Sophomore Ariel Atkins tallied 16 points on the night and brought down four boards.
Senior Imani Boyette led the Longhorns with nine rebounds and five blocks, while junior Kelsey Lang notched eight points, seven rebounds, and three blocks. Boyette moved into seventh place on the school's all-time rebounding list with 941 all-time boards.
All eight Longhorns who hit the floor tonight added at least two points.
As a team, Texas shot 45.8 percent (27-of-59) from the floor and 42.9 percent (3-for-7) from behind the arc while holding Oklahoma State to a 36.5 shooting percentage (23-of-63). The Horns outrebounded the Cowgirls, 39-36, and have won the battle of the boards in 21 of 23 games this season.
Oklahoma State (18-5, 8-4 Big 12 Conference) was led by senior Brittney Martin with 21 points.
The Cowgirls utilized two triples and midrange jumpers to gain an early 12-6 lead, forcing a Longhorn timeout at the 5:07 mark. Texas took the next seven points to hold a 13-12 advantage with 2:32 remaining, but a Cowgirl three would hush the crowd. Oklahoma State extended its margin once again, and a buzzer beater from Martin ended the first, 19-15 Cowgirls.
The Longhorns rallied back on an 8-2 run, taking a 23-21 advantage after McCarty nailed a long jumper and made a layup in transition headed into the media timeout. Texas netted two more baskets before the Cowgirls went on a 5-0 spark, draining their first baskets in nearly six minutes of play to make the score 27-26 Texas with 1:21 left. Atkins and McCarty would add four points for Texas, and a Cowgirl free throw ended the half, 31-27 Longhorns.
It was a one-point game after an Oklahoma State three-pointer at the 8:06 mark, but the Horns took the next 11 points, extending their lead to 44-32 with 4:39 remaining in the third. The Cowgirls tried to close the gap, getting to within seven after a Martin jumper at the 2:22 mark, but the Longhorns held onto a 51-43 advantage at the end of the third.
It was a double-digit game (59-49) after senior Empress Davenport made one from downtown, and strong defensive play from Atkins would force an Oklahoma State timeout with 6:20 remaining in regulation. Texas wouldn't let up, extending their lead to 15 in the closing minute to take the game, 70-55.
Up next, Texas will hit the road to play No. 20/24 Oklahoma on Sunday, Feb. 14 inside the Lloyd Noble Center. Tip is slated for 1:30 p.m. CT, and the game will be broadcasted nationally on FS1.
