Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
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Mississippi State
Cowgirls Knock Off Mississippi State, 78-71
December 29, 2011 | Cowgirl Basketball
Dec. 29, 2011
Box Score
RENO, Nev. - Oklahoma State got a strong second-half performance from freshman Liz Donohoe to hold off Mississippi State on Thursday afternoon, knocking off the Lady Bulldogs 78-71 in the first round of the Peppermill Holiday Classic in front of 577 fans inside Lawlor Events Center.
With the victory, OSU improved to 8-0 and moved into the championship game at the event. MSU fell to 9-3 on the year with the loss.
Two days after getting named the Big 12 Freshman of the Week for the second time this year, Donohoe got off to a slow start with just two points and a pair of turnovers in the first half. However, the Edmond, Okla., native exploded for 19 points in the second half en route to a game-high 21. The outing was her third 20-point performance of the year and came on the heels of her career-high 27-point outburst against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in OSU's last contest.
In the first half, the Lady Bulldogs led 19-14 with 9:23 to play behind a 5-of-8 effort from beyond the 3-point line. The Cowgirls answered with the game's next eight points, including five consecutive from junior Toni Young to move in front.
After MSU pulled within one at 22-21, the Cowgirls answered with four consecutive layups from four different players to highlight a 9-0 run and push the margin into double figures with four minutes to go in the game.
Despite a 2-of-15 effort from the 3-point line and 10 turnovers, OSU took a 35-29 lead into the break.
The Lady Bulldogs cut the margin to two on their first two possessions after the break. The Cowgirls answered with another run, scoring the next six of the contest and kept MSU at arm's length for much of the half.
During a critical three-minute stretch starting at the 4:32 mark, Donohoe scored nine consecutive points for OSU to help hold off the Lady Bulldogs down the stretch.
Young came off the bench with 18 points, while sophomore Tiffany Bias added 15 points and a game-high nine assists.
The Cowgirls will face Long Island in tomorrow's championship game at 9 p.m. (CST).
