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Liv McGill scores 24 as Oklahoma State women's basketball cruises past Morgan State
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- Liv McGill scores 24 as Oklahoma State women's basketball cruises past Morgan State
(USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
STILLWATER, Okla. — Oklahoma State women's basketball coach Jacie Hoyt wanted her team to play faster following its season-opening victory over Southern. The Cowgirls answered that challenge Friday night, pulling away from Morgan State for a commanding 92-38 victory behind a game-high 24 points from Liv McGill.
Oklahoma State (2-0) also received 16 points from Nene Ndiaye, while Audi Crooks recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Crooks reached double figures in scoring for the 100th consecutive game. The Cowgirls shot 52.8% from the field, 50% from three-point range and 29-of-35 at the free-throw line while outrebounding Morgan State 51-31.
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Oklahoma State wasted little time establishing its desired tempo. A deflection off the opening tip led to a layup by Crooks, who scored the team's first four points. However, the Cowgirls struggled to find an offensive rhythm early, missing six consecutive field-goal attempts before McGill drove to the basket to give Oklahoma State a 7-4 lead.
Ndiaye followed with a corner three-pointer off a McGill assist, and Calle Hake added another three to extend the advantage to 15-4. Oklahoma State led 19-6 after the opening quarter despite committing six turnovers. Morgan State struggled to capitalize on its opportunities, shooting just 3-of-19 from the field.
The second quarter featured several trips to the free-throw line, but McGill and Ndiaye helped Oklahoma State continue pulling away. Ndiaye converted a transition layup before Telexa Weeter connected from beyond the arc. McGill repeatedly attacked the basket, using changes of direction and finishes around the rim to create scoring opportunities.
Ndiaye added another three-pointer, helping the Cowgirls take a 42-15 advantage into halftime. The two leading scorers at the break were Ndiaye with 14 points and McGill with 13.
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Morgan State shot just 18.9% from the field in the opening half, including 1-of-12 from three-point range. The Cowgirls shot 46.2% but recorded only five assists, showing there was still room to improve their offensive execution.
That ball movement became more noticeable in the third quarter. McGill assisted on consecutive three-pointers from Hake and Yuting Deng, with Deng connecting twice in less than a minute. The sequence pushed Oklahoma State's lead to 55-21.
Ndiaye added a driving layup, while Crooks continued producing inside. With 1:31 remaining in the third quarter, Crooks scored on a layup off an assist from Ndiaye to reach 10 points, extending her streak of consecutive double-digit scoring performances to 100 games. Oklahoma State carried a 68-23 lead into the fourth quarter.
There was one concerning moment in the third quarter when Stailee Heard took a hard fall on her back while attempting to receive an interior pass with 2:35 remaining. Heard left the court under her own power but did not return to the game.
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McGill continued her strong performance early in the fourth quarter, converting two three-point plays and another coast-to-coast layup as Oklahoma State extended its advantage to 81-30. The starters were removed shortly afterward as the Cowgirls comfortably closed out their second victory of the season.
While Oklahoma State's offense improved throughout the game, Morgan State also missed numerous close-range opportunities, contributing to the lopsided margin. Still, the Cowgirls showed progress in their transition play, offensive efficiency and ball movement after a sluggish opening stretch.
With McGill directing the offense, Ndiaye providing perimeter scoring and Crooks continuing her remarkable consistency, Oklahoma State delivered another convincing early-season performance.
