Cowgirls show they're for real; Now, can they win it all?

By John Rohde

Published: March 14, 2008

He needs to stop listening.

Each victory leaves less and less doubt about the Oklahoma State women's basketball team.

Imposters rarely play for the Big 12 Tournament championship, which is what the Cowgirls will do Saturday night against Texas A&M.

OSU advanced to the title bout by winning a physical semifinal undercard against Texas on Thursday night, hanging on for a 75-72 victory inside Municipal Auditorium.

The Cowgirls have now won 25 of their 31 games this season.

Of this, there is no doubt.

Nor is there doubt that OSU is capable of making some noise in next week's NCAA Tournament.

But for this to happen, the Cowgirls must rid themselves of a nasty habit.

More than once they've blown monster leads.

They've managed to hang on and win, but March is no time for second chances.

OSU has knocked down several opponents early, and then inexplicably has let them back on their feet.

It happened again Thursday night as the Longhorns erased a 16-point deficit in a span of seven minutes.

What's odd is the Cowgirls don't seem the least bit scared when this is taking place.

"And that's a bad thing,” OSU senior guard Danielle Green said of her team's demeanor during a massive momentum shift. "That's why they come back against us, because we don't get scared. But at the same time, it's good because we don't get worried and start jacking up shots, which is a blessing.”

Budke chuckled at Green's reasoning and said: "The bottom line is they're 19- and 20-year-old kids. You see pros getting paid $10 million a year who relax and give up leads.

"Our kids are going to make mistakes, but the bottom line is they're tough to withstand that run.”

The Cowgirls have shown this week there's more in their corral than sophomore guard Andrea Riley and Green.

Green and Riley tied for scoring honors with 23 points against the Longhorns.

It took Budke less than 10 minutes to use 10 players.

The other names aren't nearly as familiar, but their combined contributions have legitimized the Cowgirls.

Junior forward Shaunte Smith sealed the game, taking a charge with 9.7 seconds left and draining two free throws with 8.4 seconds to go. She also found time to haul in 16 rebounds and score 12 points.

Authoritative junior guard Taylor Hardeman isn't shy about imposing her will, offensively and defensively.

It's rare for a team to use three centers, but OSU has senior Maria Cordero, sophomore Megan Byford and freshman Alex Richardson.

"I thought Megan was huge tonight,” Budke said.

Freshman guard Kristin Hernandez isn't afraid to mix it up.

Junior forward Shyvon Spears would average nearly 14 rebounds if she played 40 minutes.

Familiarize yourselves with these names.

They could be playing awhile.

Budke argues that Green was worthy of all-conference praise she didn't receive.

But Green secretly hopes opponents keep concentrating on her and Riley and no one else.

"That way, they'll keep letting all our teammates help us win games,” Green said.

No doubt about it.

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