Hobbs sparks OSU run to finish off Bedlam win
STILLWATER — Oklahoma State coach Jim Littell has been urging Jaden Hobbs to shoot. Look for opportunities. Work to get open. Fire when ready. On back-to-back possessions with just over seven minutes to play in Bedlam Wednesday night at Gallagher-Iba Arena, the Cowgirl sharpshooter let it fly. Hobbs hit both buckets from the left wing, igniting a run that propelled the Cowgirls to an 84-74 win over Oklahoma. For the Cowgirls (13-8, 4-6 Big 12), it snapped a four-game losing streak, while sending OU (5-16, 1-9) to its ninth straight loss. Hobbs hit almost identical back-to-back treys in the first half as OSU erased a slow start to take a 43-32 halftime lead. But the Sooners exploded to start the third quarter as well, briefly taking a one-point lead in the final minute of the period. OSU led 60-59 when Hobbs caught fire, and soon, the Cowgirls were back in the lead by double-digits. In a season when things only seem to go well for OSU if Vivian Gray and Braxtin Miller are leading the charge — and let's not ignore the fact that Gray had a career-high 33 points in her first Bedlam experience — the Cowgirls got
a boost from unexpected places. Hobbs was 4-of-8 from 3-point range and had 17 points. Senior forward LaTashia Jones hit a pair of big 3s, played tough defense and dished out four assists. During the game-turning 12-3 run in the fourth quarter, Jones hit a 3-pointer and had a smooth give to Gray. OU battled foul trouble throughout the night, with three starters, Taylor Robertson, Mandy Simpson and Madi Williams, being limited because of fouls. Sophomore Ana Llanusa led the Sooners with 16 points and freshman Jessi Murcer had 15. Williams and Robertson provided 14 and 11, respectively. Miller, who was poked in the eye early in the game, struggled from the floor, but had a gritty nine points and six rebounds. Gray was sharp all night, hitting 11-of-16 shots from the floor and 10-of-11 at the line, recording her 10th game of at least 20 points and her second of at least 30. Jones and Ja'Mee Asberry had eight points each and Mariam Gnanou had seven for the Cowgirls. OSU goes to Texas Tech on Saturday for a 6:30 p.m. tip, televised on Fox Sports Southwest. OU returns home to host Kansas State at 2 p.m. Sunday, also on Fox Southwest.