STILLWATER, Okla. (Interstat) — Oklahoma State used a decisive third-quarter surge to pull away from Utah for a 73-55 women’s basketball victory Monday afternoon at Gallagher-Iba Arena. The Cowgirls, leading 29-23 at halftime, outscored the Utes 24-8 in the third period to secure the Big 12 conference win before a crowd of 2,746. Utah mounted a late rally with 24 fourth-quarter points, but the deficit was too large to overcome. Oklahoma State dominated inside with 34 points in the paint and capitalized on mistakes, scoring 26 points off turnovers. Utah managed just 7 points off turnovers and 20 in the paint. The win improved Oklahoma State to 21-7 overall, while Utah fell to 17-10.

STILLWATER, Okla. (Interstat) — A dominant third-quarter surge propelled Oklahoma State to a decisive 73-55 victory over Utah in a Big 12 women’s basketball matchup Monday afternoon at Gallagher-Iba Arena. The Cowgirls, improving to 21-7 overall, broke open a competitive game by outscoring the Utes 24-8 in the pivotal third period. That explosion transformed a 29-23 halftime lead into a commanding 53-31 advantage, effectively putting the game out of reach despite a late Utah scoring flurry. The most important part of the game was Oklahoma State’s overwhelming defensive pressure and transition offense during that third-quarter run. The Cowgirls forced a series of Utah turnovers and converted them into easy baskets, extending their lead with a 14-2 spurt early in the quarter. Achol Akot and Stailee Heard scored on consecutive layups off Utah giveaways, and Micah Gray capped the run with a 3-pointer, pushing the lead to 20 points and silencing any hope of a Utes comeback. Haleigh Timmer led Oklahoma State with 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks, orchestrating the offense and providing key defensive stops. Micah Gray added 17 points, including three 3-pointers, while Achol Akot contributed 12 points, six rebounds and four assists. Jadyn Wooten chipped in 13 points off the bench. Utah, which fell to 17-10, was plagued by ball-handling issues throughout the night. The Utes committed numerous turnovers that Oklahoma State converted into 26 points, a decisive margin in the 18-point final outcome. The Cowgirls also dominated inside, outscoring Utah 34-20 in the paint. The Utes struggled offensively for long stretches, scoring only eight points in the third quarter. They found a rhythm too late, pouring in 24 points in the fourth quarter with reserves Sam Crispe and Avery Hjelmstad providing sparks. Crispe scored all 10 of her points in the final period. Maty Wilke and Evelina Otto each finished with 10 points for Utah, with Otto adding seven rebounds and two blocks. Oklahoma State set the tone early, opening an 18-11 lead after the first quarter behind timely scoring from Timmer and Gray. Utah managed to stay within six at halftime, but the Cowgirls’ relentless third-quarter performance sealed the outcome. A crowd of 2,746 watched as Oklahoma State won its second straight game and continued its strong play at home. Utah saw its two-game winning streak snapped and will look to regroup before hosting BYU on Saturday. Oklahoma State, which entered the game as a 10.5-point favorite according to sportsbooks, covered the spread with the 18-point victory. The total score of 128 fell well under the pregame over/under line of 143.5. The Cowgirls’ next test is a road trip to face West Virginia on Saturday, while Utah returns home to prepare for BYU the same day.

STILLWATER, Okla. (Interstat) — A surging Oklahoma State squad looks to continue its push near the top of the Big 12 when it hosts a Utah team seeking a résumé-building road win on Monday afternoon at Gallagher-Iba Arena. The No. 21-ranked Cowgirls (20-7, 9-5 Big 12) enter on a strong run, having won five of their last six games, including a 75-65 victory over Texas Tech on Saturday. Oklahoma State’s success has been fueled by balance, with guard Amari Whiting coming off a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double. Forward Jadyn Wooten added 16 points and seven assists in the win. Utah (17-9, 7-7), meanwhile, snapped a two-game skid with a 67-59 home win over Cincinnati on Saturday. The Utes have relied heavily on the scoring of guard Lani White, who poured in 23 points in that victory. White has scored 19 or more points in six of her last eight games, establishing herself as one of the conference’s most consistent offensive threats. The matchup pits Oklahoma State’s stout defense, which allows just 62.9 points per game in conference play, against a Utah offense that runs through White. Containing her will be a key for the Cowgirls, who hold a significant edge in the standings and are playing for seeding in both the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments. For the Utes, this game represents a critical opportunity to bolster their postseason credentials with a Quad 1 road victory. Their conference record reflects uneven play away from home, making a strong performance in a hostile environment essential. Oklahoma State leads the all-time series 3-1, though this will be the first meeting between the programs as Big 12 conference foes. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CST.