Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirls Survive Tough Test Against Texas, 71-66
February 21, 2008 | Cowgirl Basketball
STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) -Andrea Riley scored 10 of her 21 points in the final 2 minutes and No. 16 Oklahoma State held off a late rally to beat Texas 71-66 Wednesday night.
Riley, who'd been struggling through a miserable shooting performance, hit all six of her free throws and added a pair of layups in crunch time as the Cowgirls let the Longhorns cut a 15-point deficit to three before closing out the victory.
Maria Cordero added 15 points, Shaunte Smith had 14 points and a career-high 17 rebounds and Danielle Green scored 13 for Oklahoma State (21-4, 9-3 Big 12)
Riley, who averages a Big 12-leading 25.1 points, started the game 2-for-14 before her strong finish.
For a while, it appeared a fan whose half-court shot won him $10,000 would provide the most scintillating action of the night. Shortly after that play was shown on the arena big screen as the play of the game, Texas mounted a rally to make it interesting.
After Cordero's 3-pointer gave Oklahoma State a 57-42 lead, Earnesia Williams answered with a layup to start a 15-4 run by the Longhorns. Her 3-pointer got Texas within 61-57.
Carla Cortijo hit another 3-pointer with 9.5 seconds left to cut the deficit to 69-66, but Riley hit her final two free throws to provide the final margin.
Ashley Lindsey had 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead Texas (16-10, 4-8), which has lost its past 10 road games in Big 12 play. Cortijo added 15 points, Brittainey Raven scored 12 and Williams had 11.
Lindsey scored 10 of Texas' first 21 points, cutting Oklahoma State's early 15-5 lead down to two before she picked up her second foul with 6:07 left in the half.
The Longhorns took their only lead at 29-28 on Raven's 3-pointer, but Smith answered with a layup and the Cowgirls took a 35-32 edge into halftime.
Lindsey scored to start the second half and bring Texas within one, but both teams' offenses struggled after that.
Oklahoma State went on a 14-4 run that lasted more than 12 minutes. After Lindsey's basket, Texas missed 16 of its next 18 shots while falling behind 49-38.
