Will the Cowgirls Corral the Cougars at Gallagher-Iba?
As the Oklahoma State Cowgirls prepare to host the Houston Cougars at Gallagher-Iba Arena, fans are buzzing with anticipation for what promises to be a thrilling encounter. The Cowgirls have shown a level of tenacity and skill that suggests they're more than capable of taking on their opponents from Houston.
Looking back at their recent performance against Southern Illinois Salukis on December 17, 2023, where they emerged victorious with a score of 76-58, it's clear that the Cowgirls have an offensive edge. They dominated in points in paint with an impressive tally of 42 and showcased their accuracy from the charity stripe by hitting 86 percent of free throws. This kind of efficiency inside could prove pivotal against HOU.
However, it wasn't just offense where OKST excelled; defensively they were just as formidable. With eight steals and three blocks, they demonstrated an ability to disrupt plays and create turnovers which led to scoring opportunities – turning defense into offense seamlessly.
The game against Oregon Ducks on December 21 showed some areas for improvement though. Despite putting up a valiant fight, OKST fell short by seven points in a close-fought game ending at 63-70. One aspect that stood out was their three-point shooting percentage which was only at 30 percent compared to ORE's impressive 47 percent. To secure victory over HOU, improving perimeter defense will be crucial.
Moreover, consistency across quarters is something the Cowgirls will want to maintain after seeing fluctuating performances in previous games – like when they scored only eight points in Q1 versus ORE but then ramped up significantly in Q2 with twenty-one points.
The matchup also presents an opportunity for OKST players who shined during their win over Utah Tech Trailblazers on December 20th – where they notched up eighty-seven points while maintaining strong defensive pressure leading to nine steals and four blocks. Their field goal percentage stood out at fifty-three percent overall showing how effective their shot selection can be when executed well.
With these past performances as indicators, it seems likely that Oklahoma State will come out strong against Houston Cougars especially playing on home turf where crowd support can provide an additional boost.
Fans eagerly awaiting this clash should mark February 17th on their calendars as tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 PM local time (Stillwater) at Gallagher-Iba Arena. For those unable to attend in person, catching live action is possible through broadcast channels covering this exciting game day event.