Title IX At 50: Down Goes No. 3!

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.

OSU entered the 1993-94 season with NCAA aspirations, but saw those expectations thrown into question during a three-game stretch in the middle of January.

The Cowgirls endured three consecutive road losses by double digits before getting back on track with a home victory against Missouri. However, it was two days later when OSU delivered its signature win of the season to swing momentum back in its favor.

A memorable victory that was came in dramatic fashion, head coach Dick Halterman's squad erased a 17-point deficit against Colorado in the second half to force overtime before eventually defeating the nation's third-ranked squad, 75-73.

"There was some tremendous effort on everybody's part. I think we had to have a win against someone like this to get people to look at us again, not only in the polls, but at the NCAA at the end of the year," Halterman said.

"People will have to look at this as a great win for Oklahoma State."

The victory still stands as OSU's highest over a ranked opponent (the Cowgirls matched the feat with a double overtime win against No. 3 Texas Tech on Jan. 24, 2004) in program history.

"This feels great. We have been kind of struggling lately, but this win should really help give us a boost," Halterman said.

The head coach was right as the upset was key in a stretch that saw OSU win seven out of eight games.

Sluggish to start, the Cowgirls hit just seven of their 25 shots in the first half (28 percent) and were faced with a 25-16 deficit at the intermission.

Colorado would grow the advantage to 17 on three separate occasions in the second half, with the last coming at the 14:41 mark before OSU would make its charge.

Stacy Coffey would knock down three free throws with four minutes to go in regulation to put OSU in front, 55-54, before the Lady Buffaloes responded with a 7-2 run to go back in front by four with two minutes to go in the contest.

Coffey would once again answer the bell with a 3-pointer at the 1:10 mark to tie the game before the two teams traded baskets to force overtime at 63 apiece. She would finish with 20 of her game-high 26 points in the second period to go with six rebounds, six steals and five assists.

The Cowgirls would shoot 65 percent (17-26) over the second 20 minutes.

It was neck and neck in the extra frame with CU leading twice, OSU moving in front five times and the score being knotted on five separate occasions.

With 23 seconds left, Misty Wensler converted two free throws to provide the final margin, but not before more Coffey heroics in the closing seconds. CU got off a final 3-point attempt that was waved off after the All-Big Eight selection stepped in and took a charge to seal the outcome.

"We knew we had to compete if we wanted to make the NCAA. We pulled together today," Coffey said.

And they did just that as the Cowgirls would go on to win 20 games for the fifth time in six seasons and advance to the NCAA tournament in Austin, Texas.

Oklahoma State University Athletics

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