Cowgirls Drop First Game of the Season

No. 21 Oklahoma State was edged by No. 11 North Carolina 79-77 on Wednesday night, despite a strong second half.

After trailing 40-29 at the break, the Cowgirls (2-1) rallied in the second period. Allisha Gray scored 22 points, seven rebounds and five steals, while Xylina McDaniel had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Stephanie Mavunga scored 18 points for North Carolina, including the game-winner with 34 seconds left, and hauled in 11 rebounds.

Oklahoma State briefly retook the lead on a Brittany Atkins 3-pointer that made it 65-63 with 5:40 to go and tied it up again at 77-all with 53 seconds left when Roshunda Johnson, who had 21 points, hit another 3-pointer. But the Tar Heels quickly responded with Latifah Coleman dishing the ball to Mavunga for the winning shot.

LaShawn Jones had 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Cowgirls.