Jacie Hoyt Leaning on Haleigh Timmer’s Knack for Winning Big Games in March as Cowgirls Head to NCAA Tournament

STILLWATER— Under Jacie Hoyt, the Cowgirls have made the NCAA Tournament an expectation, but senior Haleigh Timmer takes it one step forward— she’s made a habit of not just making the tournament but winning games.

“I think that one of the best things about Haleigh Timmer that we saw in the portal was her experience in March. … So I think just her veteran experience in these situations is going to be really helpful for us,” coach Jacie Hoyt said.

Hoyt and the Cowgirls were on the wrong end of that experience last season when Timmer helped her former South Dakota State teammates upset the No. 7-seeded Cowgirls last year, but that’s the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Timmer’s history in March.

In 2023, South Dakota State also made the Tournament, and Timmer helped them upset No. 8 USC in overtime. Then, as a freshman, she averaged 30 minutes per game in South Dakota State’s six-game NIT run, which ended in a 32-point victory in the championship game.

All good signs as the Cowgirls prepare for ninth-seeded Princeton in the NCAA Tournament this weekend, with a likely shot at No. 1 seed UCLA (31-1) at stake for the winner.

“I feel like we just want to soak it all in this week leading up to the game,” Timmer said when asked about ending her collegiate career in the NCAA Tournament. “And then obviously just make the most and play as long as we can.”

Timmer proved she can generate her fair share of game-changing plays in her last outing. In Oklahoma State’s loss to Kansas State in the Big 12 quarterfinals, the senior knocked down two 3-pointers, including a game-tying shot with five seconds left, and both her free throws in the last-second loss to the Cougars.

“I wish that it didn’t get lost,” Hoyt said of Timmer’s heroics. “Because I thought it was incredible. What I saw in that Kansas City tournament was exactly what I saw in the portal and preparing for her last season at this time.

“She’s just fearless, and she is clutch. That’s the best way I can describe it. The moment’s not too big for her, and she works incredibly hard, so I think she has a lot of confidence to take big shots in big moments.”

While that effort didn’t lead to a win, it capped an impressive comeback that saw OSU temporarily overcome a five-point deficit with 15.7 seconds left.

“I think it definitely shows our resiliency and our competitiveness and will to win,” Timmer said. “And so there’s a lot of positives we can take away from it.

“I think just finishing the game a little bit better and controlling some more things leading up to that point, so we’re not in a tough position, is what we really take away from it. But yeah, it’s, it’s definitely a good sign that we were able to weather that storm and put ourselves in a good place to win at the end.”

Timmer went on to describe the loss as one the Cowgirls learned from that “got us ready for the bigger war that is coming up.”

Fellow senior Micah Gray had a more Timmer-specific takeaway from the end of that one she didn’t mind sharing with reporters.

“Her execution was amazing,” Gray said. “She hit them tough shots late in the game. So it’s just been great having Timmy on the team. She’s very consistent. You know what you’re going to get out of her every game, and she is a leader for our team.”

As of Sunday, Timmer is second in minutes, averaging nearly 31 per game while starting every contest. She’s fourth in scoring, averaging 11.7 points per game, putting her only 2.1 points behind Gray, who leads the Cowgirls.

“Stillwater is a special place, and the community is just amazing,” Timmer said. “And I think it does feel like a second home now, a little bit. So yeah, it’s definitely, I feel like I’ve really just, like grown to love it here, and, yeah, super grateful just for the doors that God has opened for me and just all the amazing people I’ve come to meet along the way.”