Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Illinois
Cowgirls Fall To Illinois
November 18, 1999 | Cowgirl Basketball
Nov. 18, 1999
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Oklahoma State's Cowgirl basketball team lost to Illinois, 77-62, in the second round of the Preseason Women's NIT here Wednesday night despite double-figure performances by Jennifer Crow, Tari Cummings and Jessica Spinner.
The Cowgirls closed the gap to 11 points on several occasions in the second half, but couldn't overcome the 12-point first-half deficit.
A three pointer by Spinner with 3:40 remaining in the game cut the lead to 11 for the final time at 70-59. But, the Illini scored the next five points before Spinner could muster two free throws with :39 seconds remaining for the final score.
Illinois played nearly eight minutes in the second half without its top two players, Allison Curtin and Tauja Catchings, both of whom picked up their fourth fouls around the 10-minute mark. However, Susan Blauser, the game's leading scorer with 25, picked up the slack.
The Cowgirls trailed, 42-30, at halftime, despite an 11- point first-half performance by Cummings. OSU was down just two points 3-1/2 minutes into the game when the first timeout was called. But, over the next 10 minutes, the Illini went on a 23-13 run to go up, 34-22, with 6:15 remaining. IU maintained the 12-point lead for the remainder of the period.
Oklahoma State (1-1) will host the Lamar Cardinals on Friday, Nov. 19, at 4 p.m. in Gallagher-Iba Arena.
