Women's basketball takeaways: 11/19 edition

It wound up being a very exciting day of hoops yesterday. Here are my takeaways from the action.

1. Oklahoma State struggles in first test, St. John’s pulls off a big win

Oklahoma State was on a tear – up until last night. In their first real test of the season, St. John’s managed the 74-67 upset at home. 

“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.”

The Big East is wide open outside of UConn this season – so this was a great boost of momentum for the Red Storm.

2. Kansas wins a big one

Kansas has one of the best freshmen classes in the country. Without their star rookie, Jaliya Davis, Kansas took down a talented Minnesota team at home. 

S’Mya Nichols was crucial in the win, but Indiana transfer Lilly Meister really stood out in the post. The Jayhawks shot the ball well and utilized their depth in the key victory. The Big 12 is another league that remains fairly open outside of the elite few at the top. 

If their freshmen continue developing, this Kansas squad should be able to return to the NCAA Tournament.

3. Notable results

St. John’s 74, Oklahoma State 67

Santa Clara 72, San Diego State 47

Princeton 69, Rice 56

High Point 71, Vermont 65

Kansas 63, Minnesota 57

BYU 70, Montana 69

4. Key stat lines

Oklahoma’s Sahara Williams: 22 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block

Oklahoma’s Payton Verhulst: 17 points, 3/6 from deep, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals

Coastal Carolina’s Tessa Grady: 22 points, 5/11 from deep, 4 rebounds

NC State’s Zam Jones: 13 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 steals 

SIUE’s Kiyoko Proctor: 26 points, 3/5 from deep, 4 assists, 2 steals

Bellarmine;s Triniti Ralston: 22 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals

Santa Clara’s Maia Jones: 25 points, 5/9 from deep, 5 rebounds

Bryant’s Nia Scott: 25 points, 18 rebounds

Merrimack’s Madison Roman: 26 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block

Holy Cross’ Meg Cahalan: 25 points, 5 rebounds

Harvard’s Abigail Wright: 23 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks

Kent State’s Mya Babbitt: 30 points, 5 rebounds

Indiana’s Lenée Beaumont: 21 points, 4/5 from deep, 5 rebounds

Navy’s Zanai Barnett-Gay: 23 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals

South Carolina’s Ta’Niya Latson: 24 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal

High Point’s Aaliyah Collins: 29 points, 3 assists, 2 steals

Central Michigan’s Madi Morson: 21 points, 4/7 from deep, 6 rebounds, 4 assists

Oregon’s Katie Fiso: 22 points, 8 assists, 1 steal

Alabama’s Ace Austin: 21 points, 5 assists, 3 steals

Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes: 28 points, 5/9 from deep, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 6 steals

Fairleigh Dickinson’s Madlena Gerke: 23 points, 6/11 from deep, 2 steals

Kansas’ S’Mya Nichols: 24 points, 3 assists

Central Arkansas’ Shae Littleford: 23 points, 3/3 from deep, 3 assists, 1 steal

Texas’ Madison Booker: 18 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 6 steals

Nebraska’s Britt Prince: 30 points, 4/6 from deep, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal

Wisconsin’s Lily Krahn: 25 points, 7/11 from deep, 2 steals

Cal Baptist’s Filipa Barros: 23 points, 6/9 from deep, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, 1 block