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The Oklahoma State Cowgirls jumped out to a double-digit lead in the opening quarter and never looked back, defeating the Missouri State Lady Bears 73-54 Thursday night at Great Southern Bank Arena in Springfield.
The Lady Bears scored first on a layup by Springfield Kickapoo’s Indya Green 43 seconds into the contest, but OSU quickly tied the game 2-2 on a layup by Taylen Collins.
The Cowgirls went on an 8-0 run to go ahead 10-2 at the 6:08 mark of the period.
MSU used a 7-0 run of its own to pull within a point, 10-9 on a layup by Aniya Thomas with 4:48 on the clock, but Oklahoma State’s Anna Gret Asi answered with a three pointer to start a 12-2 swing for the Cowgirls, who held a 22-13 lead after one period.
Missouri State got as close as two on a couple of occasions in the second quarter, but every time the Lady Bears would make a run, OSU would hit a three pointer, including two by Lior Garzon and Claire Chastain midway through the period.
The Cowgirls finished with ten treys on the night, while MSU hit four shots from beyond the arc.
Thomas scored 18 points to pace MSU, while Green added 12 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double.
Thomas, who’s a transfer from Kansas, picked up her 1,000th career point when she hit a three pointer with 4:48 left in the first quarter.
Naomie Alnatas led all scorers with 28 points, knocking down five three pointers in ten attempts and going 11-18 from the field.
The Lady Bears won the battle of the boards, out-rebounding the Cowgirls 43-32, but committed 21 turnovers to OSU’s 12.
MSU continued to struggle from the free throw line, going 6-12. The Lady Bears have hit just 47% from the line (24-51) in their first three games.
Missouri State drops to 1-2 on the season, while Oklahoma State stays unbeaten at 4-0.
The Lady Bears will take on UTSA in the Las Vegas Invitational November 25th at 3:15 p.m.
Missouri State won’t return home until December 17th, when they play UT Martin in a 1:00 p.m. contest at Great Southern Bank Arena.
