Cowgirls Hang On To Defeat Fairfield, 64-62

In a contest that went down to the last possession, Oklahoma State's women's basketball team held off Fairfield, 64-62, in front of 2,176 fans inside Gallagher-Iba Arena on Saturday afternoon to remain undefeated on the season.

With the win, the Cowgirls improved to 4-0 for the second time in three seasons under head coach Jacie Hoyt.

The Cowgirls held the Stags in check offensively in the first quarter, limiting them to a 4-of-13 shooting effort and just one of their last eight from the floor to close the period with a 19-10 lead

In the second, OSU would build the lead to as many as 13 before Fairfield would claw back to within six at 20-24 with two and a half minutes remaining. The Cowgirls would ultimately take a 35-26 lead at the break.

Stailee Heard nearly logged her fourth career double-double in the first half, scoring eight points to go with nine rebounds, three assists a steal and a blocked shot through the first 20 minutes. The Sapulpa, Okla., native would go on to finish with 14 points, 12 rebounds three assists and two steals in the contest.

After the break, Ténin Magassa scored the first six points of the half to extend the lead to 41-26 and force a Fairfield timeout. The Cowgirls stretched the margin to 16 before the Stags used a 9-0 run over just 90 seconds to cut the deficit to 44-37 and cause OSU to use a timeout with 5:32 to go in the third quarter.

OSU would build the margin back to double digits at 49-39 on a pair of Alexia Smith free throws with 2:39 left in the period before Fairfield would answer with the next four points. The teams would head to the final period with the Cowgirls in front, 52-43.

The Cowgirls would get a layup from Anna Gret Asi three minutes into the frame to extend to a 12-point margin before the Stags quickly answered with the game's next five points to pull within seven at 58-51.

With less than four minute remaining, Fairfield would once again get within six and cut the deficit to 62-57 with three minutes to go on a free throw.

Fairfield got a layup with 36 seconds remaining to pull within two and OSU came up empty on its next possession, allowing the Stags one final chance with five ticks remaining. However, the Cowgirl defense did not allow a shot attempt and time expired to seal the victory.

Asi finished with 14 points, while Magassa added 10 on the day.