What we learned about Oklahoma State women's basketball entering Big 12 play

STILLWATER — The Oklahoma State women’s basketball team wrapped up non-conference play with an 11-2 record and will go into Big 12 action on the fringe of the top 25.

Now, the Big 12 schedule awaits, beginning at Cincinnati at 1 p.m. Sunday. 

Overall, OSU’s league schedule includes four games against the league’s three top teams — TCU, Iowa State and Baylor — currently ranked in the top 15. 

“The first season for us is over,” coach Jacie Hoyt said. “Now our second season starts. Everyone is 0-0 at this point. There’s no gimme games. Where maybe we get to play against a team where we’re not at our best and we can still win in the non-con, that’s not a thing in the Big 12.

“It challenges you to be at your best every single night. And the top of the Big 12 is crazy, crazy good right now.”

The Cowgirls showed their strength in the non-conference season, but also left some potential cracks exposed.

Let’s take a look at what we’ve learned about OSU ahead of Big 12 play:

Cowgirls have shooters galore

OSU came into the week No. 2 nationally in points per game (94.2), second in 3-pointers per game (11.3) and tied for 10th in assists per game (20.5). 

Individually, Lena Girardi (38), Micah Gray (35) and Haleigh Timmer (34) are in the top 10 nationally in made 3-pointers.

Four Cowgirls are shooting better than 40% from 3-point range for the season, and Gray isn’t far behind at 35.7%.

This team can score all over, but is especially dangerous from deep.

However, to succeed at the level OSU aspires to, maintaining a consistent scoring threat will be key. In three games against power conference opponents, OSU has averaged 74.7 points, and that number will be tested against some of the teams around the Big 12. 

More: Oklahoma State basketball gets over 'losing hangover' in rout of Tulsa

Versatility is key on defense

The Cowgirls are giving up a hair under 60 points a game, but less is known about what type of defensive squad they are. 

Hoyt has some intriguing pieces to work with.

Amari Whiting is a strong on-ball defender the length of the floor. And players like 5-foot-11 Stailee Heard and 6-foot-1 Achol Akot have the versatility to defend guards on the perimeter or forwards in the paint. 

At 6-foot-3, Praise Egharevba is a veteran defender and rebounder inside, but the Cowgirls have limited depth there.

With some talented frontcourt players around the Big 12, that could be an area of concern for the OSU defense.  

Stailee Heard’s breakout is looming

Based on what she has shown in her first two years at OSU, Heard is the team’s most gifted player.

The junior guard from Sapulpa dealt with an injury early in the season and hasn’t looked like herself the last few weeks.

Last year, she averaged 16.8 points and 8.2 rebounds, but those numbers have dipped to 10.4 and 4.5, while her playing time is down nearly nine minutes a game. Her 3-point percentage of 23.4 down nearly 20% from last season.

But her talent suggests she’s going to return closer to last year’s production levels, and that will only make these Cowgirls more dangerous on both ends of the floor.

Scott Wright covers Oklahoma State athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Scott? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X at @ScottWrightOK. Sign up for the Oklahoma State Cowboys newsletter to access more OSU coverage. Support Scott’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com or by using the link at the top of this page.

OSU vs. Cincinnati

TIPOFF: 1 p.m. Sunday at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio (ESPN+)

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: What we learned about OSU women's basketball entering Big 12 play