Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Cleveland State
Cowgirls Race Past Cleveland State, 72-56
November 25, 2000 | Cowgirl Basketball
Nov. 24, 2000
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Oklahoma State's Jessica Bates scored a game-high 19 points, including 18 in the second half, as the Cowgirls defeated Cleveland State, 72-56, here Friday night in the first round of the Islander Classic. OSU will play host-Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at approximately 8 p.m. Saturday night in the championship game.
Bates, an Owasso, Okla., product, connected on 9-of-12 shots from the floor in the second half. The 6-2 junior also had five rebounds. Most of her shots came on nice passes from her teammates.
The rest of OSU's starting lineup was 6-of-33 from the floor, but contributed in other ways. Jessica Spinner had five assists, while Kara Faulk finished with seven rebounds. Shelby Hutchens scored 10 points, and Chantoya Hawkins had eight points and nine rebounds.
Juco transfer Nikki Lawrence had 12 points and six rebounds in 22 minutes, while freshman Trisha Skibbe had four rebounds and three assists in her first 10 minutes of play.
The most interesting statistic was OSU's dominance on the boards. The Cowgirls outrebounded CSU, 52-38. On the defensive end of the court, the Cowgirls had a 27-rebound advantage.
Oklahoma State trailed by as many 13 points on two occasions in the first period. However, the Cowgirls persevered, and even took a three-point lead before trailing at halftime, 32-31.
OSU's defense came alive in the second stanza, limiting the Vikings to just 26.5 percent shooting (9-of-34). For the game, CSU shot just 5-of-31 from three-point range.
Oklahoma State (3-0) will play Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (2-1) on Saturday at approximately 8 p.m. (following the Cleveland State-Prairie View A&M contest).
