OSU Women Advance To Big 12 Semifinals After 67-58 Win Over Iowa State

Oklahoma State faced Iowa State in the Big 12 women's quarterfinals Saturday, where hot shooting in the first half led the Cowgirls to a 67-58 win over the Cyclones.

Brittney Martin was on fire early in the first half, shooting scoring eight points in the first seven minutes on 4-of-4 shooting. A Roshunda Johnson layup gave the Cowgirls a 14-13 lead. OSU continued to dominate in the paint and maximize offensive possessions for a 6-0 run halfway through the half.

With Iowa State still struggling to score, LaShawn Jones escalated Oklahoma State's run to 9-0 after another paint bucket.

The Cowgirls were playing excellent on both sides of the ball, leading 22-18 with 7:56 before halftime. Johnson advanced that lead by three with a deep one, making her 2-of-2 from behind the arc with 11 points total.

The Cyclones' cold-shooting continued, leading to a four plus minute drought. Watching the Cyclones play, you wouldn't believe this was the same Iowa State that beat Baylor, swept Texas and defeated Oklahoma during regular season.

In the final minute, Johnson turned up even more, sinking another basket. She was lit with 15 points, and looking like she would surpass her career-high of 22.

With a minute on the board, Iowa State finally broke its lengthy scoring drought, cutting OSU's lead to 31-21.

Liz Donohoe answered Iowa State's bucket with a deep 3, giving the Cowgirls a 34-21 lead at halftime.

Opening up the second half, OSU pushed in transition, knocking down a couple two-pointers to lead 38-23. Oklahoma State's up-tempo pace kept the Cyclones on their heels. 

The Cowgirls had already gone on a 7-0 run just minutes into the half. By the 15:28 mark, the Cyclones hit its third four-minute scoring drought, trailing 43-25.

Seanna Johnson and Brynn Williamson weren't settling for a runaway game, as the pair led the Cyclones to 10 straight points, cutting the Cowgirls lead to 17.

Iowa State continued to scrap, but couldn't manage to cut OSU's advantage to single digits. With nine minutes left of the game, the Cowgirls were winning 51-36. By this time, the team looked as if they would defeat Iowa State for the fourth consecutive time.

That was until Iowa State got themselves back in the game with back-to-back 3-pointers from Nikki Moody, cutting OSU's lead to single digits.

After a huge burst of energy and another big thr3ee from Moody, the Cyclones had cut the OSU lead to 59-56. With a couple clutch plays and some free throws, OSU hung on to keep the lead, winning 67-58 at the final buzzer.

OSU will now go on to play the winner of No.1 Baylor vs. Kansas State on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.