Oklahoma State University Athletics
Women's Hoops Downs Kansas State, 59-56
June 21, 1999 | Cowgirl Basketball
January 3, 1999
MANHATTAN, Kan. - Oklahoma State's Cowgirl basketball team picked up a win in the first conference game of the season Saturday night as OSU defeated Kansas State, 59-56, here at Bramlage Coliseum. The win didn't come easy, though.
Early on, Oklahoma State trailed the Wildcats, held scoreless in the first three minutes of the game. But, the Cowgirls went on a 16-4 run over the next 7-1/2 minutes to lead 20-8 with 9:30 remaining in the first half. The Cowgirls improved that lead to 16, and led, 32-17, at halftime.
Senior Megan Gregg led the surge in the first period, scoring 10 points on 4-of- 7 shooting from the floor. Freshman Kara Faulk added eight, all at the free- throw line.
In the second half, OSU continued its offensive attack, leading by as many as 21 with 9:29 remaining in the game. But, memories of the Arkansas State game began to emerge as the Cowgirls allowed Kansas State to chip away at the lead. In a span of 5-1/2 minutes, the Wildcats went on a 16-0 run to cut the lead to five at 48-43 with four minutes remaining in the game.
Jennifer Crow hit a jumper to end the streak, and then scored four free throws to keep up with KSU's field goals. Lawton-native Essence Perry hit a three- pointer to cut the lead to two at 54-52 and under a minute to play. Seniors Kourtney Bower and Nikki Harmon each converted on both free throws after Kansas State fouled out of desperation, and with 13 seconds remaining, OSU led by five, 59-54.
After dribbling around for 10 seconds, K-State's Nicky Ramage drove the lane and made a layup with 1.6 seconds remaining. Brandi Harris, a Tulsa native, stole the inbounds pass and threw up a three-point attempt from the corner that hit the front of the rim at the buzzer.
Crow led all Cowgirl scorers with 17 points and led the game with nine rebounds. Harmon, who had a poor shooting night, going 1-of-7, did have eight assists. The difference in the game was the free-throw shooting, where OSU went 23-of-26, while K-State hit just 15-of-25.
Oklahoma State improved to 9-2 overall and 1-0 in Big 12 Conference play. Kansas State fell to 7-4, 0-1 in the league. OSU will host Texas A&M on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 7 p.m. in Gallagher-Iba Arena.
