Three Things to Know Before the Cowgirls Host Arizona

Oklahoma State has won five of its past six games, including coming off consecutive wins over ranked opponents. The Cowgirls climbed to No. 20 in the latest AP poll and are in a logjam at the top of the league’s standings.

The Cowgirls are humming along on offense — they might have the best offense ever at OSU — and they’re atop the league in both opponent field-goal percentage and opponent 3-point percentage and fourth in scoring defense.

OSU has plenty to play for as they approach the regular season stretch. The Cowgirls will host Big 12 newcomer Arizona on Wednesday, trying to keep that hot streak going. Here are three things to know before tipoff.

1. Wildcats Acclimating to Big 12

Arizona is still acclimating to the Big 12, but the Wildcats have been a tournament team the past four years. They know how to win and have proven to be a tough out.

Adia Barnes’ squad has had an up-and-down start to its Big 12 tenure, suffering through a three-game skid (including a loss to then-No. 11 K-State) and just broke a two-game losing streak but did earn a win over West Virginia, then ranked No. 16. Arizona is currently 6-6 and ranked ninth in their first year in the Big 12.

The Wildcats sit in the middle of the pack in most major statistical categories in the league, but they can play you tough. They beat the Mountaineers by 15 and held them to just 1-for-12 from 3 and forced them into 21 turnovers. Arizona ranks third in the league, forcing 19.3 per game.

2. Anna Gret Asi Ready for Her Old Team

I’m basing that statement on the Cowgirl sharpshooter’s last outing. Her hands are probably still too hot to high five.

Asi is coming off a season-high 24 points, going 8-for-12 from beyond the arc.

The senior guard from Estonia has become a fan favorite in Stillwater over the last three years, but she got her college start in Tucson where she spent her freshman season. She played in just seven games for the Wildcats as a freshman, averaging seven points per game. In her time at OSU, she’s grown into a lethal scoring threat.

Asi is the Cowgirls’ third-leading scorer at 11.9 points per game behind Stailee Heard (16.7 ppg) and Micah Gray (13.8 ppg). Asi is currently ranked third in the league, shooting 40.1% from deep and is fifth in made 3s per game, behind Gray.

3. OSU is Right in the Mix for the Big 12

The Cowgirls have just six games left on their regular season slate. And with the position they’ve put themselves in, every one of those matters.

Oklahoma State is in a six-team logjam for the Big 12’s top spot. The Cowgirls are technically tied for fourth in the Big 12, tied with West Virginia and Utah at 9-3, but they’re only one full game behind the trio  of Kansas State, TCU and Baylor, all tied at 10-2 for first.

To keep themselves in the title hunt, they need to take care of business.

The Cowgirls and Wildcats tip off at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday inside Gallagher-Iba Arena.