Title IX At 50: 3 OTs For a Sweet 16

As we celebrate 50 years of Title IX, travel back in time with us as we recount several program-defining moments throughout the history of Cowgirl Basketball which have helped shape the program.

The 1990-91 campaign was one of significance for the Dick Halterman-led Cowgirls. OSU finished the year with a 27-6 mark and reached the NCAA Sweet 16 for the first time in program history.

However, it was OSU's second-round contest, not the matchup against top seed and No. 2 ranked Virginia in the round of 16, that holds a special place in program lore.

After holding on for an 81-80 win over DePaul in the first round, the fifth-seeded Cowgirls hosted No. 4 seed Michigan State in front of 2,611 fans inside Gallagher-Iba Arena. Facing a 37-32 deficit at the half, OSU shot 50 percent in the second stanza to pull even and force overtime.

In a contest where neither team led by more than six points and featured 14 lead changes and 15 ties, the 25^th-ranked Cowgirls would rely on last-second heroics not once or twice, but on three separate occasions.

The Big Eight champions trailed by five at 68-63 with just 45 seconds to go in regulation before Shelly Blessing delivered. The Indianola, Okla., native buried a 3-pointer with less than 30 seconds remaining in regulation to knot the score and force the first overtime.

After a 6-0 run in the extra frame put the Spartans in front, 74-72, with a short clock, All-Big Eight selection Lisa McGill converted a putback with five ticks remaining to force another overtime period.

Overtime No. 2 found the Cowgirls trailing by five with 47 seconds left before they once again staged a last-second rally with Paula Breeden knocking down a 3-pointer with four seconds left to send the contest to a third extra frame.

"After every time out, I asked the girls 'What do you want to run?' I ran out of things to run, I promise you," Halterman said.

With the score knotted at 94 apiece, All-American Liz Brown delivered the final dagger, drilling an 18-foot jumper from the top of the key with three seconds left to send the Cowgirls into the round of 16.

"There were so many key plays in regulation and at the end of overtimes, it just so happened that she was the one that won the game," Spartan head coach Karen Langeland said. "She is a clutch player and did a great job when she had to."

"I don't think it was bad defense on our part on that last shot by Brown. I think she just hit a clutch shot."

For the only player on either side to play all 55 minutes, it was a very un-Brown like performance for most of the contest. Just two of 13 from the floor to that point, the Roff, Okla., native delivered when her team needed her most.

"I hadn't done anything all night, so I thought it was about time," the two-time Big Eight Player of the Year said.

McGill was a force in the paint for the Cowgirls, hitting 15 of her 24 shots from the floor on her way to a career-high 32 points to go with 11 rebounds for her ninth double-double of the season.

Shea Jackson added a double-double of her own, finishing with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

"We could not stop McGill. She is such a strong player and so difficult to defend one on one," Langeland said.

The win capped a 13-0 season at home for OSU and was one of significance not only for the program but beyond according to Halterman.

"This was a big win for Oklahoma State basketball. It also means a lot to the Big Eight. The conference has always been overlooked," Halterman said. "Our kids just did a great job of scratching and clawing. We are in the Sweet 16 and I think we belong there."

"Maybe these kids will get the recognition they deserve now."

Oklahoma State University Athletics

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