Defying road struggles, Oklahoma State Cowgirls triumph 88-77 over Iowa State in Ames, sweeping the series
AMES, IA — In a hard-fought battle at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa, the Oklahoma State Cowgirls women’s basketball team defied their season-long road struggles to secure an 88-77 victory over the Iowa State Cyclones on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
This win not only marked a significant road triumph for OSU but also completed a season sweep of Iowa State, following their dominant 86-58 home win earlier in January.
Despite entering the game with a middling 4-6 overall road record (including a 4-5 mark in Big 12 away games after this victory), the Cowgirls showcased resilience and offensive firepower to pull away in the fourth quarter.
The game was tightly contested through the first three periods, with both teams tying at 18-18 after the first quarter and 35-35 at halftime.
The third quarter was just as tight as the Cowgirls and Cyclones were tied headed into the fourth. However, the Cowgirls decisively won the fourth quarter and the game.
Team statistics highlighted OSU’s efficiency and rebounding edge. The Cowgirls shot an impressive 53.2% from the field (33-of-62), including 38.1% from beyond the arc (8-of-21), and converted 73.7% of their free throws (14-of-19).
They dominated the boards with 37 rebounds (7 offensive) compared to Iowa State’s 27 (5 offensive), which led to second-chance opportunities.
OSU also forced 12 turnovers while committing only 11, adding 10 steals to disrupt the Cyclones’ rhythm.
Iowa State, meanwhile, shot 44.3% overall (27-of-61) and a strong 46.2% from three (12-of-26), but their 73.3% free-throw shooting (11-of-15) couldn’t compensate for the rebounding deficit and fourth-quarter collapse.
Individually, Oklahoma State was powered by standout performances from forwards Achol Akot and Stailee Heard, both recording double-doubles.
Akot led all scorers with 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting, grabbing 10 rebounds and adding three assists. Heard contributed 22 points (7-of-15, including 5-of-10 from three), 14 rebounds, four steals, and a block, dominating defensively.
Guard Jadyn Wooten added 13 points and five assists, while Amari Whiting chipped in nine points and three assists.
For Iowa State, center Audi Crooks and guard Jada Williams each scored 19 points; Crooks added seven rebounds and two assists, while Williams dished out a game-high 10 assists alongside two rebounds.
Guard Sydney Harris provided 12 points, all from four three-pointers, and four rebounds.
This road victory boosts Oklahoma State’s record to 22-8 overall and 11-6 in the Big 12, tying them for fourth in the conference standings behind leaders like TCU (14-3) and West Virginia (13-4).
Prior to the game, OSU held a NET ranking of around 30 and was projected as a 7-to-9 seed in NCAA Tournament bracketology from sources like ESPN and SI.com.
Beating a solid Iowa State team (21-8, 9-8 Big 12) on the road, especially completing the sweep, should elevate their resume. Analysts suggest this could push the Cowgirls toward a 6- or 7-seed, providing a more favorable first-round matchup and potentially avoiding early clashes with top seeds.
With the Big 12’s depth, this win strengthens OSU’s case for a higher at-large bid, assuming they perform well in the upcoming conference tournament.
Looking ahead, Oklahoma State wraps up the regular season at home against Kansas on Saturday, February 28, aiming to build momentum before the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City starting March 4.
Iowa State, meanwhile, heads to Manhattan for a road finale against Kansas State on Sunday, March 1, hoping to rebound and secure their own tournament positioning.