Oklahoma State Women’s Basketball: Cowgirls face Abilene Christian in WNIT

Mar 5, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowgirls center Kaylee Jensen (54) drives to the basket defended by Oklahoma Sooners forward Kaylon Williams (42) in the second quarter during the women's Big 12 conference tournament at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowgirls center Kaylee Jensen (54) drives to the basket defended by Oklahoma Sooners forward Kaylon Williams (42) in the second quarter during the women's Big 12 conference tournament at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The Oklahoma State women’s basketball team makes their first appearance in the WNIT since 2012 as they face Abilene Christian on March 16.

The Oklahoma State women’s basketball team did not have the most successful season by their normal standards. The Cowgirls finished 17-14 with a loss to the Texas Longhorns in the second round of the Big 12 Tournament.

OK State did receive a bid for the Women’s National Invitation Tournament, or the WNIT, to extend the Cowgirls’ postseason bid streak to 11 seasons now, which is a school record. The Cowgirls host the Abilene Christian Wildcats in the first round of the WNIT.

Unlike the NCAA Tournament, the Cowgirls actually get to host their first round matchup with ACU. The game takes place at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater on Thursday, March 16 at 7 p.m. CT.

ACU enters this matchup with a 22-8 record on the season. The Wildcats ride a seven game winning streak into the contest. However, ACU is 0-1 against Big 12 teams this season when they got thrashed by the Baylor Bears 79-34, on their season opener back on Dec. 1.

The Cowgirls and Wildcats have never faced each other before. Moreover, OK State is 11-4 all-time in NWIT play, so they do have a track record of success in the past.

If OK State comes up victorious in their first round game, they face either the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs or the SMU Lady Mustangs in the second round. Other notable teams in the Cowgirls’ portion of the bracket includes the Virginia Cavaliers, Indiana Hoosiers, and Villanova Wildcats.

The Cowgirls do have a huge advantage by getting this game at home. They’re 12-4 at home this season, compared to 2-8 away from GIA. Meanwhile, ACU is 8-6 on the road this season.

Junior center Kaylee Jensen has another opportunity to continue her great statistical run this season. She averages a double-double each game with 18.5 points per game and 10.6 rebounds. Jensen also leads the Cowgirls in three-point percentage, shooting 37.5 percent from beyond the arc.

OK State fans have one more chance to support Cowgirl basketball on Thursday.

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You can view the entire 2017 WNIT bracket here. You can view the entire press release for OK State women’s basketball in the WNIT here.

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