St. John's women's basketball stuns No. 18 Oklahoma State

St. John’s delivered one of the biggest early-season statements in women’s college basketball Wednesday night, upsetting No. 18 Oklahoma State 74–67 at Carnesecca Arena. The Red Storm showcased their resilience and depth in their highest-ranked victory since 2023. 

“As long as I’ve done this, you know these are games you don’t want to give away when you have an opportunity, especially on your home court, against a ranked team…,” head coach Joe Tartamella told On3. “I thought it was a huge piece in validating the work our players have been putting in.”

Oklahoma State entered averaging more than 100 points per game, one of the nation’s fastest offenses. But St. John’s controlled the pace, held the Cowgirls to more than 30 points below their average and forced them into uncomfortable shots. Tartamella said the scout was unusual. 

“They were scoring 100 a game, so I didn’t know how we were really going to slow them down,” he said. “But we found a way to make the game the way we wanted to play it… They took only seven shots that weren’t basically painted twos. We had to get back in transition, and I thought we did a good job in getting back and slowing them down.”

St. John’s led by 10 at halftime before Oklahoma State fought back in the third quarter to tie the game and briefly take the lead. But the Red Storm responded immediately.

“That was a big thing,” Tartamella said. “They took the lead for a second, and then we scored right away. I thought we had answers to everything in terms of play. In the third quarter, I was disappointed how we came out…Then we started the fourth with two scores, and from there it was about trying to hold it at six or seven and getting enough stops. I thought we were battling for rebounds and that was a big piece.”

The win showcased St. John’s depth and balanced scoring, something Tartamella believes helps define this roster.

“We don’t have a quote-unquote stud,” he said. “But we do have players who can step up at any moment to be that guy…I like our depth. If we can do this consistently, then I obviously feel good about where we can go.”

With a tough non-conference slate still ahead, including Georgia Tech and Memphis, the win is more than a confidence boost. 

“This was big in terms of, we gave them one at Harvard,” Tartamella said, “And they’re good and hard on the road. It was going to be tough. But we just got one back and now we’ve got to stay with it.”

And in a Big East that feels open behind UConn, momentum matters.

“Our most important game is the next one,” he said.