OKlahoma STate vs TCU (1-22-25)

By: Jeffrey Norris | Jan. 24, 2025

Stillwater, Oklahoma, the college town of just under 50,000 combined full time and student residents isn’t in a large metro region like in-state rival Oklahoma University is, but it’s no sleepy podunk town. The university has helped the town grow and blossom into now what is a hub for restaurants, engineering, and agriculture. And in the center of that growth is Oklahoma State University. Home to the Cowboys and Cowgirls athletic programs, OSU has a proud and rich history of championships in many different sports. Oklahoma State claims 55 national championships, including 53 NCAA titles, ranking them 6th all-time. These titles have come in wrestling with 34, as well as golf, cross-country, basketball, and baseball. OSU also claim non-NCAA titles in football and equestrian. Individually, OSU athletes have won 183 individual titles.

The arena where a few of those titles have been won sits in the heart of Stillwater. Gallagher-Iba Arena known as “The Madison Square Garden of the Plains” has been a staple of Oklahoma sports history since 1938, when the Oklahoma A&M Aggies defeated the Kansas Jayhawks 21-15. Named after two legendary Oklahoma State coaches Ed Gallagher (men’s wrestling), and Henry Iba (men’s basketball), this basketball Mecca has proudly been dubbed “The Rowdiest Area in the Country” by Oklahoma State fans.

The Oklahoma State Women’s basketball team welcomed in the No. 9 ranked TCU Horned Frogs Women’s Basketball Team Wednesday night. Led by Team USA superstar Hailey Van Lith, the Horned Frogs had a record of 19-1 with their only loss being to the defending champions, South Carolina. TCU started off hot and got into a grove early on in the game, however OSU was able to hold them off for a thrilling 60-59 victory. 

The Cowgirls had a second half surge and overcame a 15-point deficit behind a clutch last few minutes from freshman Jadyn Wooten who had 14 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. Sophomore Stailee Heard led the way with a 17 point outing adding 6 rebounds and a steal. Guard Anna Gret Asi also had a solid night with 10 points, 2 assists, and 1 rebound.

For TCU, they just couldn’t hold on to the lead they raced out to in the first half of play. Sedona Prince led the way with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 blocks making this her 6th 20 point game in a row. Van Lith had 12 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal. Taylor Bigby also had 11 points and 4 rebounds. OSU was able to capitalize on TCU’s 12 turnovers, scoring 16 points.

TCU’s loss snaps an 11-game winning streak, as they look to host Baylor on Saturday.

TCU G, Hailey Van Lith | PC: HCO Media