Jacie Hoyt Says French Center Tenin Magassa Was the Cowgirls’ ‘Missing Piece’

STILLWATER — From a getting off the bus standpoint, one Cowgirl stands out among the rest.

Tenin Magassa is a 6-foot-6 center from France. The Cowgirls nabbed the fifth-year senior out of the transfer portal this offseason. She’s the rock of the Cowgirls’ defense, averaging 2.3 blocks a game, which ranks third in the Big 12.

“Tenin, she was one that we celebrated,” OSU coach Jacie Hoyt said. “I remember where I was when we knew that we were getting her, and we celebrated that one hard because we were really, really excited about the roster that we assembled, but she was the missing piece. Just so glad that it all worked out. It’s been a really magical journey having her here.”

Before coming to Stillwater, Magassa spent two seasons at Dayton and the past two seasons at Rhode Island. Despite the jump to the high-major level, Magassa is having one of the best seasons of her career with the Cowgirls. She’s averaging 8.3 points and 5.2 rebounds a game while shooting 60% from the field. That point average is better than her past three seasons, her rebounds are better than her past two seasons and her field-goal percentage is a career-high.

Magassa has scored in double figures 13 times in 28 games thus far this season. Before getting to Stillwater, she scored in double figures 21 times across 93 games.

“She’s grown so much,” Hoyt said. “Her confidence on the floor is just, it’s one of those things as a coach, that’s why you do what you do, to see people mature and grow up. She’s done it in every way. She’s done it with her confidence and the intangibles. She’s a leader now. As far as her game goes, man. She came in a great defender, and she still is that for us. She is hands down the anchor of our defense. But offensively, she’s so much more confident now to finish. She’s shooting those kind of midrange shots now. …

“She’s grown as much as any player I’ve ever coached in just a short time with that one season. I’m super proud of her. But the fun thing is and the exciting thing is that I see her getting so much better every single game, and she’s not done yet. She’s got more in her, I know.”

Magassa met with reporters after the Cowgirls’ 74-64 victory against Cincinnati on Wednesday night. In just 15 minutes because of foul trouble, Magassa scored 12 points, brought down five rebounds and swatted three shots. She was 6-for-7 from the foul line.

She recalled phone conversations with with Hoyt and OSU associate head coach Jhasmin Player as to why she came to Stillwater, saying she felt good about them. Magassa said she wanted to follow her instincts as to which school she should pick for her final season of college basketball.

“It’s been so fun,” Magassa said. “I love it here. If I could stay, I would stay another year. I feel like I got so much better just by how much the coaches trust me, always helping me to get better, get in the gym, giving me a advice. I have wonderful teammates, wonderful coaches. I just, I love it. It’s been great.”

Being from Morsang-Sur-Orge, France, Magassa didn’t have anyone to walk with her on Senior Day this past weekend, so teammates Jadyn Wooten and Micah Gray accompanied her through the ceremony. Every chance she got she talked about how much she loved her teammates.

“My heart is full when I think about all the moments we had together and how much I’m gonna miss them when I leave,” Magassa said. “I love them so much, and they’re the best thing that has happened to me in a minute. So, I’m very grateful for that.”