STILLWATER, Okla. — Oklahoma State women's basketball opened its season with a commanding 81–39 victory over Southern on Monday, powered by a double-double from Audi Crooks and a dominant defensive performance in the second half.
Crooks finished with a game-high 22 points and 11 rebounds, leading a balanced offensive effort that saw three Cowgirls score in double figures.
Nene Ndiaye added 16 points, while Stailee Heard contributed 12 as Oklahoma State overcame several cold shooting stretches to secure a 42-point victory.
Oklahoma State missed its first three shots before responding with an 8–0 run in the opening three minutes. Ndiaye provided the early offensive spark, scoring eight of the Cowgirls' first 13 points while demonstrating her ability to score both inside and from beyond the arc.
The Cowgirls built a 15–4 advantage midway through the first quarter despite Southern alternating between man-to-man and zone defenses. Heard helped sustain the offensive momentum through the middle portion of the half before Crooks asserted herself in the paint. Crooks scored Oklahoma State's final seven points of the opening quarter, helping the Cowgirls take a 25–13 lead into the second.
The offense briefly stalled again to begin the second quarter, making just one of its first five shots. However, Oklahoma State continued drawing fouls and generating opportunities inside.
Crooks reached 13 points as the Cowgirls extended their advantage to 42–21 late in the half. Liv McGill, returning to the starting lineup after missing the exhibition game, scored her first points on a driving layup with 1:47 remaining before halftime.
Oklahoma State entered the break leading 46–23, shooting 48.6% from the field and scoring 24 points in the paint.
The Cowgirls continued building their lead after halftime despite another slow offensive start. Crooks converted a three-point play early in the third quarter, but Oklahoma State made just one of its first five field goal attempts.
The bench provided a spark midway through the period when Calle Hake knocked down a three-pointer before finding Telex Weeter for a transition layup, extending the lead to 56–25. Freshman LA Sneed later connected on a three-pointer, while McGill closed the quarter with another driving layup.
Oklahoma State's defense proved particularly effective, holding Southern to just four third-quarter points while extending its advantage to 66–27 entering the fourth. The Cowgirls maintained control throughout the final period, with Ndiaye connecting from the corner and Sneed adding another three-pointer. Crooks finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds before Oklahoma State emptied its bench for the final 2:21.
While Oklahoma State experienced several shooting droughts, its ability to generate offense through multiple contributors and maintain defensive pressure prevented Southern from mounting a serious challenge.
Hake finished with nine points, providing another contribution from a rotation that featured several players throughout the contest.
The Cowgirls' interior scoring, defensive effort and balanced production offered encouraging signs in their first regular-season appearance.
Oklahoma State now looks to build on its season-opening performance as it continues nonconference play Friday against Morgan State at home.
