STILLWATER, Okla. – 

In a year in which shared Hall of Fame Avenue neighbor, Boone Pickens Stadium, will only witness maybe a single Oklahoma State victory, it was refreshing to see the Oklahoma State Cowgirls cruise past their season opening opponent, the New Orleans Privateers. 

Gallagher-Iba Arena saw 2,000+ attend the Cowgirls season home opener and the Oklahoma State Women’s team, led by head coach Jacie Hoyt, rolled to 61-point victory, 109-48. 

The Cowgirls were led by 5’8 senior guard, Micah Gray, who dropped 24 points on 8-for-17 shooting and added four assists in 27 minutes of play. Gray was accompanied by former South Dakota State Jackrabbit and Cowgirl newcomer, Haleigh Timmer, who added 18 points and went 50% from three-point range. 2025 Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-American and first-team All-Big 12 selection, Stailee Heard, added 14, while BYU transfer, Amari Whiting, contributed another 11 points.

 This Cowgirls basketball team has a lot of names on it and nine of those names were able to end up in double figures on Monday night. Yes, it was against a Southland conference team, and the Cowgirls will face a lot better teams further into the season. However, this Oklahoma State team showed consistent intensity from beginning to end and never let up, even as the lead grew over 50. 

Going forward, I’ll be very transparent surrounding my familiarity with this Cowgirls basketball team and addressing their play. The Cowgirls were a very good team last season, and while they were playing top-tier ball, I wasn’t able to view very many games. That changed tonight and for this upcoming season. I’m excited to see the storylines develop and watch the progress and chemistry build with this team. Expect a good rate of post-game Cowgirl recaps for me.  

I watched tonight’s game on ESPN+ and enjoyed seeing the tenacity in which with this Hoyt team played with. It would’ve been very easy to let up and coast with such a huge lead. They were up a 40 piece at half. It never stopped. 

Even furthering my enjoyment was seeing this Cowgirls team move the ball around. I am a self-claimed San Antonio Spurs, Gregg Popovich disciple and watching Oklahoma State move the ball tonight reminded me of the “you can’t outrun the ball” 2014 champion San Antonio Spurs. It’s how the game should be played.

Even more interesting to me, former Major League great, Joe Girardi, was in attendance tonight. Why? Joe’s daughter, Lena Girardi is on this Oklahoma State squad. The freshman, Lena Girardi, was very impressive tonight, which really comes as no surprise with those genes. Girardi got it going from deep in the second half, boasting 4-from-9 from deep and ended up with 15 points on the evening. 

Jacie Hoyt’s squad was very impressive in game one. I’m not saying that because they won by 61, I’m saying that because of their effort. They’re really to be commended for continued effort in a game in which they could’ve played lax and still got the dub. If this one game sample size continues and this Oklahoma State Cowgirls keeps pounding the rock, they’ll be a Sweet 16 team in March.

You can count your bet slip on it.