Cowgirls Dazzle: OSU Rolls Past Princeton 82-68

Cowgirls Dazzle: OSU Rolls Past Princeton 82-68 in NCAA Opener

Oklahoma State showed why they are a dangerous team in the NCAA Tournament, defeating Princeton 82-68 in the opening round. The Cowgirls looked sharp and in control for most of the game, securing their first tournament win in five years.

Cowgirls Start Strong, Princeton Fights Back

The game kicked off with Princeton’s Tall winning the tip. However, it was Oklahoma State who quickly found their rhythm. Ashley Chia hit the game’s first basket, but Princeton’s Olivia Hutcherson answered inside. The Tigers aimed to exploit mismatches, while Oklahoma State focused on ball movement to avoid stagnant offense.

Oklahoma State’s Achel Akott made her presence felt early with strong play inside. Sky Beler added to the Cowgirls’ early lead. Despite a missed corner three, Michael Gray secured the rebound for Oklahoma State. Lexy Timmer, averaging nearly 14 points per game, made the most of a second-chance opportunity, showing no hesitation with a strong drive to the basket.

Princeton’s Resilience and Key Plays

Princeton showed flashes of what makes them a tough opponent. Madison St. Rose, an All-Ivy honorable mention, hit a pull-up jumper. The Tigers also demonstrated good ball movement, leading to open looks. Hutcherson continued to be effective inside, and Belgar added six quick points with a nice move. The Princeton guards looked for assist opportunities, and Hutcherson was active, drawing fouls and making plays.

However, Oklahoma State’s offense kept coming. Timmer drove and passed to Akott for two points. After a timeout, Princeton looked to Madison St. Rose, who hit a pull-up jumper. Jenner shut down Gray, but Gray later hit a mid-range shot. Ashley Chia added a three-pointer, and Staley Herd also knocked down a three. In the final minute of the half, Gray hit another three, her 89th of the season.

Akott Dominates the Paint, Cowgirls Extend Lead

The second quarter saw Oklahoma State continue to push the pace. Jaden Wooten showed her ability to score off the dribble, making a shot and setting up Akott. Akott was a force in the paint, consistently working hard and scoring. Despite a brief trip, she got back up to make plays. Belgar added to the score with a nice move inside, and Chia connected on a backdoor cut off a great pass from St. Rose.

Princeton attempted to extend their defense with full-court pressure, even forcing a steal and a score from Hutcherson. However, Oklahoma State maintained their lead. Wooten hit another shot, and Chia drained a three-pointer, showing confidence and swagger. Tall added a turnaround jumper. Akott continued her strong offensive performance, assisting Wooten for a basket.

Second Half Surge for Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State started the second half strong, stretching their lead to 18 points in the second quarter. Princeton made some runs to try and close the gap, but the Cowgirls had an answer. Wooten completed a three-point play. St. Rose scored on a follow-up for Princeton in the final seconds. The Cowgirls’ team effort was evident throughout the game.

In the second half, Oklahoma State continued to execute. Herd hit a big three-pointer, and Taylor Charles added quick points. A steal by Herd led to a fast break and a new career-high for Akott. Wooten added two more points, and Akott continued to score in the paint. The Cowgirls stretched their lead out to 18 at one point, and despite Princeton’s efforts, they couldn’t overcome the deficit.

Looking Ahead: Oklahoma State Advances

The victory marks Oklahoma State’s first NCAA Tournament win in five years. Coach JC. Holt praised the team’s effort, highlighting it as a great example of March Madness. He noted that the team looked rested and recharged, leading to a true team victory.

Ashley Chia hit a three-pointer to close out the scoring for Princeton, ending their season. For Oklahoma State, the win propels them into the next round of the tournament. They will play on Monday, capping off an impressive performance that showcased their ability to win in the pressure of March Madness.

Source: Round of 64: Princeton Tigers vs. Oklahoma State Cowgirls | Full Game Highlights | NCAA Tournament (YouTube)