Cowgirls-Bulldogs meet in tourney
Oklahoma State played Mississippi State in the second round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament on Monday night.
STARKVILLE, MISS. — In Kaylee Jensen’s last minutes as a college basketball player, she was diving into a collision with the scorer’s table, sending out a bang that could be heard through the sold-out Humphrey Coliseum.
The senior center winced and grimaced in pain, but her eyes followed the ball. Her leg struggled to cooperate as she lunged up to her feet, yet she yelled to her teammates to get moving and get back.
Jensen would lose her final college basketball game, a 71-56 loss to No. 1 Mississippi State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, but she and her teammates spent that setback going for it, putting Mississippi State on the ropes and leaving them scared their dream season might end.
The final deficit would imply a game not so close at all. Those watching would know this game was back and forth the first 30 minutes.
It wasn’t some hot streak from an underdog or a top team playing out of character. It was Oklahoma State playing to the level of Mississippi State much of the night, looking like its equal. It was constantly making the extra pass and turning a good look into a great one. It was taking away Mississippi State’s strengths and taking advantage of its weaknesses.
Oklahoma State looked like it could beat Mississippi State for much of this night. Mississippi State was just too talented. It was good enough to make the pull-up jumper with a Cowgirl hand in their face and good enough to make the and-one even with players throwing them to the floor.
It looked early like Mississippi State would control this game, leading 12-6 early in the first. Then Oklahoma State went on a 14-0 run that wasn’t simply a shooting streak. The Cowgirls forced turnovers and took star rim-protector Teaira McCowan out of position, chasing Jensen near the perimeter.
Jensen made life difficult for the Bulldogs all night. She hit jump shots far from the basket and used post moves that fooled defenders. She ended the night with 18 points and seven rebounds.
The game was tied 41-41 when Mississippi State’s Roshunda Johnson fell into the leg of freshman guard Braxtin Miller. Miller rolled around and yelled out as she held her knee. She came out for several minutes before returning.
But in those minutes Mississippi State didn’t waste an opportunity to create some space. Right around that time, McCowan was able to find her stride and take position in the post. Goodwin then put herself in foul trouble and couldn’t be as aggressive.
The 41-41 game quickly became 55-45. For each impressive bounce-back basket by Goodwin or Jensen came a rebuttal by Vivians or McCowan.
By the fourth quarter, the talent of this Mississippi State team was too much. The Bulldogs advanced to the Sweet 16 in the seniors’ final game in Humphrey Coliseum. Those seniors received standing ovations as they were subbed out for the final time here.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma State players like Jensen walked off through the opponent ovations, tears streaming down their faces as their careers came to an end.