Oklahoma State Cowgirls
Big 12 (16-12, 8-10)
The Oklahoma State Cowgirls basketball program was slammed with the ultimate tragedy at the start of their 2011-12 basketball season. Head Coach Kurt Budke and Miranda Serna were killed in a plane crash in Arkansas on November 17 while on a recruiting trip. The resilience of this basketball team to continue to press on in honor of their late coaches has been nothing short of spectacular as it could have been very easy for the Cowgirls to fold. To their credit, they have represented Oklahoma State University in a first class manner.
Big Wins: 1/7 Texas (70-51), 1/14 Oklahoma (66-63), 1/24 Texas A&M (57-53)
Bad Losses: 12/30 at LIU Brooklyn (63-64), 1/4 at Texas Tech (53-58), 2/11 at Texas (53-69)
Coach: Jim Littell (1 season at Oklahoma State)
Why They Can Surprise:
The Cowgirls stepped up with some big wins this season knocking off Oklahoma in the Bedlam Rivalry and upsetting defending national champion Texas A&M at home. They also captured a huge road win late in the season at Kansas, which illustrated the team’s ability to keep playing hard no matter the circumstances. Without any seniors in the regular starting lineup, freshman Liz Donohoe has led the way for the Cowgirls as she leads the team in scoring at 12.8 points per game and rebounding at 6.9. Tiffany Bias has been a steady floor general in the backcourt leading the team with 6.5 assists per game. Having players perform beyond their years is always a huge bonus in the postseason and thus, Oklahoma State will be a very difficult opponent to play.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The Cowgirls at times have had a very difficult time scoring the basketball. If a team with size can slow the game down and force Oklahoma State to beat them from the perimeter, then it could mean an early exit from the postseason. Also, the inexperience of the starting two freshmen could be concern as well, even though Donohoe has had an excellent season. The pressure and tempo ratchets up come tourney time and playing on neutral floors for the first time is not the easiest venue to shoot in. Finally, the overall emotional toll from the season can impact Head Coach Jim Littell, who has done a tremendous job of leading the program through a tough transition. Can he summon up his troops for a strong energized postseason run?
Probable Starters:
Tiffany Bias, Sophomore, Guard, 12.7 ppg, 6.5 apg, 2.5 spg
Taylor Schippers, Freshman, Guard, 4.1 ppg, 1.0 apg
Liz Donohoe, Freshman, Forward, 12.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg
Kendra Suttles, Sophomore, Center, 8.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg
Lindsey Keller, Junior, Center, 7.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Jenni Bryan, Sophomore, Guard, 1.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg
Vicky McIntyre, Sophomore, Center, 3.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg
Jordan Schultz, Freshman, Guard, 3.8 ppg, 1.1 apg
Toni Young, Junior, Forward, 10.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 64.8 (119th in nation, 7th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 59.5 (122, 6)
Field-Goal Percentage: 38.6 (178, 8)
Field-Goal Defense: 35.0 (22, 2)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.8 (87, 4)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 29.4 (183, 6)
Free-Throw Percentage: 71.2 (97, 3)
Rebound Margin: 1.8 (117, 6)
Assists Per Game: 14.0 (78, 7)
Turnovers Per Game: 14.3 (22, 2)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
Oklahoma State 2011 NIT Round of 64 win over Pepperdine
Oklahoma State 2011 NIT Round of 32 loss to Wyoming
Oklahoma State 2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over Chattanooga
Oklahoma State 2010 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Georgia
Oklahoma State 2009 NIT First Round win over Texas-Arlington
Oklahoma State 2009 NIT Second Round loss to Arkansas
Oklahoma State 2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over East Tennessee State
Oklahoma State 2008 NCAA Round of 32 win over Florida State
Oklahoma State 2008 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to LSU
Oklahoma State 2007 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Bowling Green
*all team stats through 3/1
See All Women’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
