The Cowgirls finish out their January slate of games in dominating fashion - setting Hoyt and squad up for a promising February.
STILLWATER, Okla. — The Oklahoma State Cowgirls women’s basketball team defeated the BYU Cougars 67-51 on Wednesday night, January 28, 2026, at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater.
The victory marked the 900th win in program history for OSU and improved their record to 17-5 overall and 6-3 in Big 12 play.
For BYU, the loss dropped them to 15-6 overall and 4-5 in conference action, extending their skid to two games.
The game started with a high-scoring first quarter, where BYU jumped out to a 25-19 lead, fueled by efficient shooting and early momentum.
However, the Cowgirls flipped the script in the second quarter, outscoring the Cougars 20-3 in one of the most lopsided periods of the season.
OSU’s defense clamped down, forcing missed shots and turnovers, while their offense ignited.
The third quarter saw OSU extend their advantage to 57-43, with a balanced attack keeping BYU at bay.
In the fourth, a 10-0 run pushed the lead to 22 points, and the Cowgirls cruised to the finish, holding BYU to just eight points in the final frame.
Key statistics underscored OSU’s dominance. The Cowgirls shot 34.8% from the field (23-of-66), while limiting BYU to a dismal 29% (18-of-62).
OSU was particularly effective from beyond the arc, connecting on seven threes, compared to BYU’s 7-of-31 (22.6%) from deep.
Free throws were another area of contrast, with BYU converting only 61.5% of their attempts.
Rebounding favored OSU, as they grabbed more boards overall, led by Achol Akot’s career-tying 14 rebounds and Amari Whiting’s 10.
Assists were distributed well for the Cowgirls, with Stailee Heard dishing out seven.
Turnovers were kept in check, though OSU forced several key ones, including steals by Heard in the fourth quarter.
BYU managed four steals from Delaney Gibb and two blocks each from Braeden Gunlock and Kambree Barber, but it wasn’t enough to disrupt OSU’s rhythm.
Individually, Micah Gray was the standout for Oklahoma State, pouring in a game-high 26 points on seven three-pointers, including a milestone shot in the first quarter that marked her 1,600th career point in college basketball. Her 14 points in the second quarter alone sparked the turnaround.
Amari Whiting, a former BYU player facing her old team, delivered an emotional performance with 16 points, 10 rebounds for her double-double, and a career-high three blocks—pivotal in stifling BYU’s offense during the decisive second quarter.
Stailee Heard added 12 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, providing all-around glue with timely steals.
For BYU, Kambree Barber notched her first double-double of the season with a season-high 13 points and 11 rebounds, serving as a bright spot in a tough outing.
Delaney Gibb and Olivia Hamlin each chipped in 11 points, but the Cougars’ offensive execution faltered after the first quarter, going 8-of-42 in the final three periods.
Game changers for OSU included their suffocating defense, which held BYU to single-digit scoring in two quarters, and Gray’s sharpshooting that opened up the floor.
Whiting’s blocks and rebounding were defensive anchors, while Heard’s versatility sealed the deal.
On the BYU side, Barber’s rebounding kept them competitive early, but defensive lapses allowed OSU’s 20-3 second-quarter run, fueled by four threes, to swing momentum irreversibly.
Coach Lee Cummard of BYU noted postgame that poor execution against OSU’s high-powered offense and missed opportunities on turnovers were key factors in the loss.
This win was crucial for Oklahoma State, who needed to bounce back after a disappointing 79-65 road loss to Colorado on January 25, where their three-game winning streak ended.
In that defeat, OSU struggled with a slow start and couldn’t overcome Colorado’s balanced attack, dropping them to 16-5 at the time.
The victory over BYU restored confidence, showcasing improved defensive intensity and home-court energy at Gallagher-Iba, where they now stand 12-1 this season.
Looking ahead, the Cowgirls face a challenging February slate in the competitive Big 12.
Their schedule kicks off with a road trip to Arizona on Sunday, February 1 (3:00 p.m. CT), followed by Arizona State on Wednesday, February 4 (7:30 p.m. CT).
Home games include UCF on Saturday, February 7 (1:00 p.m. CT) and Texas Tech on Saturday, February 14 (2:30 p.m. CT). They’ll also host Utah on Monday, February 16 (1:00 p.m. CT) before road tests at Kansas State (Tuesday, February 10, 6:30 p.m. CT) and West Virginia (Saturday, February 21, 1:00 p.m. CT).
The month wraps with Cincinnati at home on Wednesday, February 25, and a tough finale at Baylor on Saturday, February 28.
This gauntlet features several Quadrant 1 opportunities, with opponents like Arizona, Kansas State, and Baylor projected as tournament teams.
As for NCAA tournament chances, Oklahoma State is solidly positioned in current projections.
Bracketologists like Autumn Johnson have them as an 8-seed, while others peg them at a 9-seed in the field of 68.
With a strong resume including wins over quality Big 12 foes and a top-50 NET ranking implied by their projections, their odds of making the tournament sit around 85-90% if they finish .500 or better in February.
A deep conference tournament run could elevate them to a 6-7 seed, but losses to bubble teams like Arizona State could jeopardize their at-large bid.
The Cowgirls’ defensive improvements and scoring depth give them a fighting chance to return to March Madness for the second straight year.
Oklahoma State heads next to Tucson to face Arizona on February 1, while BYU returns home to host rival Utah on Saturday, January 31, looking to snap their skid.
Both teams have pivotal stretches ahead in the race for postseason positioning.