STILLWATER — Oklahoma State had two chances to send a powerful message on Wednesday.
The Cowgirls could have announced themselves as true contenders for the conference when they took a 19-point lead with 1:34 left to play in the third quarter.
That lead shrank to five by the time Jadyn Wooten fouled out with 4:23 left to play, leaving OSU with two other key Cowgirls staring down four fouls. Still, if Oklahoma State could survive that, then at least they would prove to themselves and the rest of the Big 12 that they can get it done without requiring the type of heroic performances that saw the team lean so heavily on Stailee Heard last season.