Ryan Steele

CHNI News Service

Advancing to the NCAA Tournament last year lifted a huge weight off of Oklahoma State’s shoulders.

It marked the school’s first trip to the Big Dance since 1996. However, getting an NCAA Tournament win for the first time in more than a decade was a hurdle the Cowgirls failed to overcome.

They dropped a 70-66 decision to seventh-seeded Bowling Green in the opening round.

“I think last year, we were just excited about our (regular-season) finish and then laid an egg in the first round (of the Big 12 tourney),” said OSU coach Kurt Budke. “Maybe that carried over into the NCAA Tournament. Maybe we didn’t truly believe we belonged last year.

“This team believes we can win and advance. There’s definitely a different attitude than there was last year.”

Last season, O-State was a No. 10 seed in the NCAAs. This time, the Cowgirls earned the No. 3 seed in the New Orleans Regional and will play No. 14 seed East Tennessee State in an ESPN2-televised first-round contest at 7 p.m. Saturday in Des Moines, Iowa.

“That’s a long way from 0-16, isn’t it? That’s an unbelievable jump for this program,” Budke said.

Sophomore Megan Byford added, “(The No. 3 seed) just shows the respect this program is starting to get.

Everybody’s hard work is paying off and it’s just awesome. When we look back years from now, we’ll realize that we were part of something pretty special.”

Special doesn’t begin to describe the kind of year OSU (25-7) has had. A No. 3 seed in the NCAAs marks the school’s highest seed ever, and Budke’s club also achieved its best ever ranking in this week’s Associated Press poll (No. 13).

The milestones don’t stop there — last weekend, the Cowgirls advanced to the Big 12 Tournament championship game for the first time. In 2007-08, they finished with 11 conference wins, a program best.

“This is much better (than a 6-22 season two years ago),” said junior Taylor Hardeman. “You weren’t close to being anywhere near the NCAA Tournament back then. I wish we could’ve played in (Oklahoma City) but we were put in (the New Orleans Regional) for a reason and I think it’s a good draw.”