Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Texas A&M
Texas A&M Runs Past Cowgirls, 70-65
February 05, 2002 | Cowgirl Basketball
Feb. 5, 2002
STILLWATER, Okla.- Texas A&M forced 13 second-half turnovers on Tuesday night to rally past Oklahoma State, 70-65, before 1,309 fans at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
The Aggies (12-10 overall and 4-6 Big 12) used a 14-2 run to open the second half and build a 10-point lead. A three-point basket and layup by Meg Banahan, who finished with a game-high 23 points, pushed the lead to 13 with 8:52 remaining in the game.
The Cowgirls (11-12, 3-7) cut the deficit to 64-61 on a pair of free throws by Kara Faulk with 1:43 remaining. However, an intentional foul by Shelby Hutchens fifteen seconds later resulted in a pair of free tosses for A&M and a five-point lead.
With 10 ticks left, Chantoya Hawkins was fouled on a three-point attempt. After converting one of her first two attempts, Hawkins missed her third try and an offensive rebound and shot attempt by Trisha Skibbe rattled in and out to seal the outcome.
"That was a great win, our first back-to-back wins since the Big 12 started," A&M Head Coach Peggie Gillom said. "Our kids came out and played hard and we stuck to our game plan and it resulted in a win for us."
With the exception of one tie, OSU led the entire first half and built the lead to six on several occasions. However, Banahan's 11 points, including a 3-of-3 effort beyond the arc, kept A&M within striking distance and a LaToya Rose jumper with five seconds remaining cut the Cowgirl lead to 36-32 at the break.
Banahan hit nine of her 11 shots and all four three-pointers in the game, while guard Toccara Williams narrowly missed a triple-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds and nine steals.
Skibbe paced the Cowgirls with 18 points and seven rebounds, while senior Tari Cummings chipped in with 17 points and seven boards.
OSU will return to action on Saturday when it travels to Austin to take on the Texas Longhorns at 7 p.m.
