Cowgirls push No. 1 Baylor to end before losing Big 12 semifinal
BY GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
Sunday, March 10, 2013
DALLAS – Oklahoma State took No. 1 Baylor to the final minute of today's Big 12 tournament semifinal before succumbing 77-69.
The fifth-seeded Cowgirls leave Dallas with a 21-10 record, and prepare for the NCAA tournament knowing they can play right with the defending national champion.
The 31-1 Lady Bears needed Brittney Griner's three-point-play to pull into a 72-63 lead with 2:39 remaining. And even then, OSU wouldn't go away.
Toni Young (22 points, 11 rebounds) scored off a baseline drive. Liz Donohoe (20 points, seven boards) stole the ball from Brooklyn Pope and converted a layup. Tiffany Bias (19 points) hit another layup off Brittney Martin's steal.
Suddenly, it was 72-69 with 1:35 remaining.
Then Martin stole another Baylor pass and OSU had a shot to tie with a 3. But Griner (30 points, 10 boards) poked away an entry pass), leading to Jordan Madden's game-sealing 3-pointer from the right wing with 38 seconds to go.
Baylor advances to face the winner of the second semifinal between Oklahoma and Iowa State in Monday's 7 p.m. championship.
Associated Images:
Baylor center Brittney Griner (42) attempts a shot over Oklahoma State' Toni Young (15) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Big 12 women's tournament on Sunday in Dallas. TONY GUTIERREZ/Associated Press
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