Cowgirls Celebrate Seniors with 8-Point Win

Originally Published: Mar 3, 2010 8:15 PM CDT

Stephany Speck
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

STILLWATER, Oklahoma -- The Oklahoma State Cowgirls celebrated Senior Night Wednesday, beating the Iowa State Cyclones 78-70.

Seniors Andrea Riley and Tegan Cunningham both finished their careers with the Cowgirls with strong games. Riley finished with 32 points and seven assists, while Cunningham scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

Megan Byford and Ally Clardy were also celebrated on Senior Night. Byford finished her last game in Gallagher-Iba Arena with seven rebounds, while fellow senior Clardy ended with two rebounds for her team.

The Cyclones came within one point of the Cowgirls twice during the second half, but the Pokes managed to pull away both times.

OSU was able to score 10 points off the Cyclones’ turnover trouble and an additional eight points from second-chance shots.

The Cowgirls’ offense set the pace from the beginning of the game, which helped to build a 10-point lead by halftime. OSU would finish the first half with a12-point run in the last seven minutes, putting them ahead 38-28 heading into the locker room.

By the half, Riley accounted for 16 of the Cowgirls’ points, while Cunningham contributed 11 points.

Freshman forward Toni Young offered fans a glimpse of what the future might hold for OSU, scoring six points and grabbing five rebounds.

The Cowgirls will face their in-state rivals, the Oklahoma Sooners, Sunday in round two of Bedlam. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. in Norman.