OSU Tops UNC In Women's Hoops Showdown

Oklahoma State women's basketball extended its winning streak to eight with a 77-67 victory over North Carolina in front of 2,672 fans inside Gallagher-Iba Arena.

Early in the game it was sophomore Mandy Coleman who carried the offense as she scored six of OSU's first 10 points in the ballgame. She finished with 15 points to go along with six rebounds and three assists.

At halftime, OSU found itself trailing for just the second time this season. But a 9-0 run early in the third quarter swung the lead, and momentum, back in favor of the Cowgirls.

Junior Katelyn Loecker started the run by draining a 3-pointer from the left wing to put OSU in front, 37-35. Freshman Latashia Jones followed it up with a 3-pointer of her own on the Cowgirls' next possession and Coleman capped off the run with a layup and conversion on the ensuing and-1 after she was fouled.

Jones finished the game with a career-high 11 points as well as six rebounds and two assists.

Senior Brittney Martin scored just seven points in the first half, but came alive in the second half. After the Cowgirls' 9-0 run, Martin scored or assisted on the next nine points for OSU. She scored 17 of her game-high 24 points in the last two quarters of play. Martin has now scored at least 20 points in seven consecutive games.

Martin also grabbed a season-high 17 rebounds in the game to record her third-consecutive double-double. The double-double brings Martin's season total to five and 22 for her career.

Late in the fourth quarter, sophomore Kaylee Jensen got a friendly roll as her layup fell through the hoop to give the Cowgirls a five-point lead. At the other end, Loecker snatched up a missed UNC 3-pointer and was fouled. She made both free throws, putting OSU up by seven to seal the victory.

OSU once again outrebounded its opponent by double digits as the Cowgirls bested the Tar Heels on the glass, 54-40. The win also marks the 47th consecutive victory in non-conference contests inside Gallagher-Iba Arena for the Cowgirls.

OSU will be back in action on Sunday, Dec. 20, as the Cowgirls hit the road to take on No. 20 South Florida in Tampa, Florida.