Oklahoma St. 60, No. 9 Arkansas 58

<br>STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) _ Oklahoma State's strategy against 9th-ranked Arkansas was to be ahead by halftime and coast to victory. <br><br>But it took a last-second shot from freshman Meghan Craig

Friday, January 3rd 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) _ Oklahoma State's strategy against 9th-ranked Arkansas was to be ahead by halftime and coast to victory.

But it took a last-second shot from freshman Meghan Craig to give the Cowgirls a 60-58 win over the Razorbacks on Thursday night.

``I just has to get it out of my mind that it was the game-winning shot and just shoot the ball,'' Craig said.

Oklahoma State coach Julie Goodenough was delighted.

``It's huge,'' she said. ``I think it just proved to our kids that if they just go hard and follow the game plan, they can be successful against the best teams in the country. Arkansas is really one of the best.''

Lori Allen had 14 points and nine rebounds to lead the Cowgirls (4-7). Trisha Skibbe and Craig each added 12.

Shameka Christon scored 17 _ including the 1000th of her career _ and Dana Cherry had 16 to lead Arkansas (10-2).

The Lady Razorbacks missed several chances to pull away, leaving the door open for Oklahoma State. Christon blocked a shot out of bounds with 1.9 seconds left, but Craig took the inbounds pass from Allen, who was underneath the basket, and made the game-winner.

Allen said the team had hoped to be ahead at the half, but it was tied 30-30 at the break.

``At halftime someone said in the locker room that the score was 0-0 and that it was a whole new ball game in the second half,'' Allen said.

Arkansas coach Eileen Kleinfelter said she was disappointed in how the team responded ``when things were not going our way.''

``We got beat by a better basketball team tonight that played with more heart. Give them credit, they made plays down the stretch and that is what it is all about,'' Kleinfelter said.

Freshman Sarah Pfeifer gave Arkansas a 58-56 lead with 3:47 left on two free throws, but the Lady Razorbacks didn't score again, missing two layups and four free throws, while also turning the ball over twice.

India Lewis added 11 points for Arkansas, outrebounded 42-33.