Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirls Advance To NCAA Second Round With Win Over ETSU
March 23, 2008 | Cowgirl Basketball
Riley did her part with 26 points and five assists and three teammates made major contributions as Oklahoma State beat East Tennessee State 85-73 Saturday night in the opening round of the New Orleans Regional.
It wasn't the sharpest game Oklahoma State has played this season. The third-seeded Cowgirls (26-7) committed 21 turnovers and never could blow it open. But they'll take it.
Oklahoma State won in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1996 and earned a second-round date with Ohio State or Florida State on Monday night.
Riley, a super quick 5-foot-5 sophomore and a first-team all-Big 12 choice, didn't break down the Lady Bucs' defense as often as she did to most opponents this season. She ran things skillfully enough, however, and her teammates found plenty of openings to score.
Maria Cordero had a season-high 23 points and nine rebounds, Taylor Hardeman scored 13 and Shaunte Smith added 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Michele DeVault hit six 3-pointers and scored 22 points to lead 14th-seeded East Tennessee State (21-12), which had taken an eight-game winning streak into its first NCAA tournament appearance.
Latisha Belcher added 14 points for the Lady Bucs, Siarre Evans scored 12 and TaRonda Wiles 10.
East Tennessee State, the Atlantic Sun champion, stayed with the Cowgirls early and even led 14-11 after 5 minutes. But that lead evaporated quickly once Oklahoma State got rolling.
Showing off their versatility, five different players scored for the Cowgirls during an 18-3 run that put them ahead 29-17.
Riley pulled up for a jumper and fed Kristin Hernandez for a layup. Hardeman hit a pair of 3-pointers. Cordero scored twice inside. Danielle Green contributed a putback and a free throw. Smith sank two free throws.
Wiles finally stopped the Cowgirls' momentum with a turnaround jumper, but the Lady Bucs trailed by double digits most of the way after that. It was 41-29 at halftime and an 8-0 run that included six points by Cordero stretched the lead to 52-35 early in the second half.
ETSU pulled to 67-60 on DeVault's 3 with 6:45 to play but got no closer. Oklahoma State scored eight of the next nine points to regain control and made its free throws down the stretch to stay safely ahead.
