Hoyt and the Oklahoma State Cowgirls start February off hot against the Arizona Wildcats women’s basketball team
TUCSON, Arizona — The Oklahoma State Cowgirls women’s basketball team opened February with a commanding 88-69 road win over the Arizona Wildcats on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at McKale Memorial Center in Tucson.
This victory improved OSU’s record to 18-5 overall and 7-3 in Big 12 play, showcasing their offensive prowess and defensive resilience against a struggling Arizona squad that fell to 10-11 and 1-9 in conference.
The Cowgirls set the tone early, leading 21-18 after the first quarter before exploding in the second with a 25-12 advantage to take a 46-30 halftime lead.
They maintained control in the third quarter, outscoring the Wildcats 25-19, and held off a late Arizona push in the fourth (17-20).
Stailee Heard led the charge with a double-double of 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Jadyn Wooten dished out 8 assists to fuel the balanced attack.
OSU’s efficient shooting and transition play overwhelmed Arizona, who found success inside with 38 points in the paint but couldn’t match the Cowgirls’ perimeter game.
This win marks a great start to February for the Cowgirls, building crucial momentum as they eye a strong push toward March Madness.
With a solid conference standing, OSU is positioning itself for an NCAA Tournament berth, leveraging their depth and experience to navigate a challenging slate.
Looking ahead, the Cowgirls face a packed February schedule filled with key Big 12 matchups that could define their postseason fate.
They continue their Arizona road trip against Arizona State on Wednesday, February 4, at 6:30 PM CT, aiming to sweep the desert swing.
Home games follow against UCF on February 7 and Texas Tech on February 14, offering opportunities to protect Gallagher-Iba Arena.
Mid-month brings tougher tests include a road clash at Kansas State on February 10, where the Wildcats’ defense could challenge OSU’s offense, and a home tilt versus Utah on February 16.
The month intensifies late with away games at West Virginia and Iowa State, the latter against a perennial contender, and closes with Kansas at home on February 28.
If the Cowgirls maintain this form, February could propel them into March with confidence, ready to make noise in the Big 12 Tournament and beyond.
How far do you have this Cowgirls team going, assuming they make the Big Dance?
In Bracketology terms, drawing from similar profiles in recent years (like their 2025 No. 7 seed), I’d project them as a 5-7 seed in the 2026 tournament.
Realistically, they advance past the first round against a mid-major or lower Power 5 team, win the second round if they get a favorable matchup (avoiding top seeds like South Carolina or UConn early), and reach the Sweet 16.
Upside? If hot shooting and defense click, Elite Eight is possible, especially with their experience from last year’s 25-7 campaign.
Downside? Early exit if they draw a bad stylistic matchup in a tough region.
Overall, Sweet 16 feels like the most likely ceiling, setting up for even bigger things in future seasons under Coach Jacie Hoyt.
Give us your thoughts! How far can this team go?