Oklahoma State Cowgirls at Houston Cougars
· NCAA Women's Basketball
Houston withstands No. 24 Oklahoma State women for first win over ranked opponent since '23
Eylia Love scored 15 points and Laila Blair scored 10 points for Houston, which built a game-high 26-point lead late in the third quarter.
Stailee Heard scored 17 points, Anna Gret Asi and Micah Gray scored 16 each and Macy Huard 11 for the Cowboys who outscored Houston 34-17 in the fourth to get back in it.
Heard stole the ball from Merchant with five seconds left and sprinted the other way. Absent a timeout, Heard pulled up for an uncontested 3-pointer which rimmed out to end the game.
Despite committing three turnovers in the last minute, it was Houston's first win over a ranked opponent since Feb. 12, 2023 when it beat 24th-ranked South Florida.
The Cougars (5-12, 1-5 Big 12), who entered winless in conference play and losers of nine of their last 11 games, used a 12-0 run in the final four minutes of the half turning a 28-27 deficit into a 39-28 advantage.
It was Houston's first halftime lead since its last win on Dec. 17 when the Cougars led Mississippi Valley State 53-21 at the break.
Merchant hit a pair of 3-pointers during the run, which continued into the third quarter with Merchant scoring three layups in an 8-2 outburst for a 47-30 lead. Houston kept up the offensive onslaught and went on to a 58-33 lead with 2:50 left in the third when Asi made 1 of 2 foul shots.
The Cowgirls (14-3, 4-2) travel to face UCF on Saturday. Houston travels to Baylor Friday night.
How can I watch Cowgirls vs. Cougars?
- TV Channel: Cowgirls vs Cougars 2021 College Basketball, week 11, is broadcasted on ESPN+.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
Recent Plays
| 4th 0:00 |  |
End of Game | 76 - 79 |
| 4th 0:00 | |
End of 4th Quarter | 76 - 79 |
| 4th 0:00 |  |
Leilani Augmon Defensive Rebound. | 76 - 79 |
| 4th 0:00 |  |
Stailee Heard missed Three Point Jumper. | 76 - 79 |
| 4th 0:05 | |
Stailee Heard Steal. | 76 - 79 |
Statistics
 OKST |
HOU |
|
|---|---|---|
| 26-58 | FG | 28-54 |
| 45 | Field Goal % | 52 |
| 8-28 | 3PT | 7-20 |
| 29 | Three Point % | 35 |
| 16-24 | FT | 16-20 |
| 67 | Free Throw % | 80 |
| 32 | Rebounds | 33 |
| 9 | Offensive Rebounds | 5 |
| 23 | Defensive Rebounds | 28 |
| 13 | Assists | 19 |
| 15 | Steals | 13 |
| 3 | Blocks | 4 |
| 22 | Turnovers | 23 |
| 0 | Team Turnovers | 1 |
| 22 | Total Turnovers | 23 |
| 0 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 25 | Points Off Turnovers | 30 |
| 26 | Fast Break Points | 16 |
| 36 | Points in Paint | 38 |
| 22 | Fouls | 21 |
| 3 | Largest Lead | 26 |
Game Information
Location: Houston, TX
Attendance: 613 | Capacity:
2025-26 Big 12 Conference Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVER |
|---|---|---|---|
| TCU | 12-3 | - | 24-4 |
| Texas Tech | 11-4 | 1 | 24-4 |
| Baylor | 11-4 | 1 | 22-6 |
| West Virginia | 11-4 | 1 | 21-6 |
| Oklahoma State | 10-5 | 2 | 21-7 |
| Colorado | 10-5 | 2 | 19-8 |
| Iowa State | 9-6 | 3 | 21-6 |
| Arizona State | 8-7 | 4 | 21-7 |
| Utah | 8-7 | 4 | 17-10 |
| Kansas State | 8-7 | 4 | 15-13 |
| BYU | 6-9 | 6 | 17-10 |
| Kansas | 6-9 | 6 | 16-11 |
| Cincinnati | 5-10 | 7 | 10-17 |
| Arizona | 2-13 | 10 | 11-15 |
| UCF | 2-13 | 10 | 10-16 |
| Houston | 1-14 | 11 | 7-19 |