Can the rested Oklahoma State Cowgirls avenge their regular-season loss and douse Kansas State’s fiery tournament run in Friday’s Big 12 quarterfinals showdown?
KANSAS CITY, MO —
The stage is set for an interesting Big 12 Women’s Basketball Tournament quarterfinal matchup as the No. 4 seeded Oklahoma State Cowgirls (23-8, 12-6 Big 12) face off against the No. 12 seeded Kansas State Wildcats (17-16, 8-10 Big 12) on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 11:00 AM CST. The game will take place at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, and will be broadcast on ESPNU.
This contest pits a rested Oklahoma State squad against a Kansas State team riding high on improbable tournament momentum, promising an exciting clash in the quest for the conference crown.
During the regular season, the Cowgirls and Wildcats met once, on February 10, 2026, in Manhattan, Kansas. Kansas State emerged victorious in a hard-fought battle, defeating Oklahoma State 70-61 at Bramlage Coliseum.
The Wildcats led for over 39 minutes, holding off a second-half rally from the Cowgirls.
Taryn Sides led Kansas State with a strong performance, while Oklahoma State’s Micah Gray and Stailee Heard combined for significant scoring efforts but couldn’t overcome the home team’s defensive pressure.
©️ OSU AthleticsKansas State has turned heads in the tournament so far, showing their “never say die” anttitude.
In their opening game against No. 13 Cincinnati on March 4, the Wildcats set a Big 12 tournament single-game record with 17 three-pointers, cruising to a 91-66 win. Nastja Claessens and Jordan Speiser were instrumental from beyond the arc. The very next day, Kansas State pulled off a stunning upset against No. 5 seed and No. 21-ranked Texas Tech, winning 58-51 after trailing by 14 points.
They closed the game on a dominant 21-0 run in the fourth quarter, holding the Red Raiders scoreless for the final 7:43. This marked Kansas State’s first multi-win Big 12 tournament run since 2005, propelling them into the quarterfinals with newfound confidence.
In contrast, Oklahoma State benefits from a double bye as the fourth seed, providing valuable rest after a grueling regular season. The Cowgirls wrapped up their campaign with a convincing 70-56 win over Kansas on February 28, securing their seeding and allowing time to recover and prepare.
Coach Jacie Hoyt’s team should come out energized, leveraging their depth and experience to counter Kansas State’s hot streak.
Key stats highlight the strengths of both squads. Oklahoma State boasts a potent offense, averaging 81.7 points per game while holding opponents to 63.1.
Standout players include senior guard Micah Gray (14.1 PPG, 2.8 three-pointers per game), sophomore guard Jadyn Wooten (12.4 PPG, 5.2 APG), junior guard Stailee Heard (12.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG), sophomore forward Achol Akot (11.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG), and senior guard Haleigh Timmer (11.7 PPG). This type of scoring attack makes the Cowgirls a threat from all positions.
Kansas State, meanwhile, averages about 70 points per game and relies on perimeter shooting and timely runs.
Junior guard Taryn Sides leads the way (12.5 PPG, 3.8 APG, 2.3 three-pointers per game), followed by junior forward Nastja Claessens (11.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG), senior guard Tess Heal (11.1 PPG), and freshman guard Jordan Speiser (9.8 PPG).
The Wildcats’ ability to get hot from deep, as seen in their record-breaking performance, could be a game-changer.
For Oklahoma State to secure a victory and advance to the semifinals, they must prioritize containing Kansas State’s three-point barrage, limiting open looks for Sides and Speiser will be crucial.
The Cowgirls should exploit their interior advantage, feeding Akot and Heard for high-percentage shots and rebounding dominance.
With the rest advantage, OSU needs to start fast, dictate the tempo, and minimize turnovers to prevent Kansas State’s momentum-building runs. Strong perimeter defense and transition scoring could tilt the scales in their favor.
A key Oklahoma State player to watch in this quarterfinal matchup is Achol Akot. The sophomore forward’s recent dominance inside, including an 18-point outburst against Kansas, could prove pivotal against Kansas State’s frontcourt.