What we learned about Oklahoma State women’s basketball entering Big 12 play

STILLWATER — The Oklahoma State women’s basketball team finished non-conference play with an 11-2 record and will be on the verge of being ranked in the top 25 of the Big 12 rankings.

Now, the Big 12 schedule awaits, starting Sunday at 1 p.m. in Cincinnati.

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Overall, OSU’s league schedule includes four games against three of the league’s top teams — TCU, Iowa State and Baylor — currently ranked in the top 15.

“Our first season is over,” coach Jesse Hoyt said. “Now we’re starting our second season. Everybody’s 0-0 at this point. No games given to me. Maybe we’ll play a team where we’re not at our best, but we can still win in non-games, which is not the case in the Big 12.

“It challenges you to play your best every night. The top guys in the Big 12 right now are crazy, awesome.”

The Cowgirls showed their depth during the non-conference season, but also exposed some underlying cracks.

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Let’s take a look at what we know about OSU ahead of Big 12 play:

Cowgirl has many shooters

OSU ranks second nationally in points per game this week (94.2), second in three-point field goals made per game (11.3) and tied for 10th in assists per game (20.5).

Individually, Lena Girardi (38), Micah Gray (35) and Haleigh Timmer (34) all rank in the top 10 nationally in three-point field goals made.

This season, all four Cowgirls are shooting over 40% from three-point range, and Gray is not far behind, hitting 35.7%.

This team can score across the board, but is especially dangerous from deep.

However, to reach the level OSU aspires to, maintaining a consistent scoring threat will be key. In three games against power conference opponents, OSU is averaging 74.7 points per game, a number that will be put to the test against some teams around the Big 12.

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More: Oklahoma basketball team shakes off ‘hangover’ after defeating Tulsa

Versatility is key on defense

The Cowgirls are allowing just under 60 points per game, but not much is known about the type of defense they play.

Hoyt has some interesting pieces to work with.

Amari Whiting is a strong on-ball defender. Players like 5-foot-11 Stailee Heard and 6-foot-1 Achol Akot have the versatility to guard defenders on the perimeter or forwards in the paint.

The 6-foot-3 Praise Egharevba is a veteran defender and interior rebounder, but the Cowgirls have limited depth.

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There are some talented frontcourt players around in the Big 12, and this could be an area of ​​concern for OSU’s defense.

Staley Hurd’s breakthrough is imminent

Based on her first two years at OSU, Hurd was the team’s most talented player.

The young defender from Sapulpa suffered an injury early in the season and hasn’t looked like himself in recent weeks.

Last year, she averaged 16.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, but those numbers have dropped to 10.4 and 4.5, while her playing time has dropped by nearly nine minutes. Her three-point shooting percentage was 23.4%, down nearly 20% from last season.

But her talent suggests she’ll be back closer to last year’s level, which will only make these Cowgirls more dangerous on both ends of the court.

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Scott Wright Covering Oklahoma State track and field for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Scott? He can be reached via: swright@oklahoman.com or at X @ScottWright OK. register Oklahoma Cowboys Newsletter Get more OSU coverage. Support the work of Scott and other Oklahoma journalists by making a purchase Subscribe digitally now at subscribe.oklahoman.com Or use the link at the top of this page.

Oregon State University vs. Cincinnati

hint: Sunday, 1 p.m., V-3 Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio (ESPN+)

This article originally appeared in Oklahoma State: What we learn about OSU women’s basketball heading into Big 12 play