Tiffany Bias called this season an emotional roller coaster.
The roller coaster ended with a Women's NIT championship for the Cowgirls on Saturday afternoon at Gallagher-Iba Arena when they beat James Madison University 75-68 before more than 6,000 fans.
The Cowgirls knew devastation on Nov. 17 when coach Kurt Budke, assistant coach Miranda Serna and two Oklahoma State alums were killed in a plane crash during a recruiting trip to Arkansas.
The recovery process started with a memorial service for Budke, Serna and former state Sen. Olin Branstetter and his wife, Paula, and continued throughout the season.
"When we were sad, we were sad. When we were happy, we were happy. I think we all went through that," Bias said. "It was a tough spot, but we're getting through it as a team and as one."
Oklahoma State made longtime associate head coach Jim Littell the Cowgirls' permanent head coach in December.
It took weeks for the Cowgirl players to realize it was OK to smile after a great play or a victory. It took much longer for the coaching staff and players to regain their footing.
The Oklahoma State women's basketball team had its ups and downs throughout the season.
Oklahoma State went 18-2 in Gallagher-Iba Arena. The 18 wins at home is a Cowgirl record, and included victories over NCAA tournament teams — Oklahoma, Texas, and defending national champion Texas A&M.
Yet, the Cowgirls were nearly down and out as late as Feb. 22 after winning just one of eight games in a month-long stretch.
Then, Littell made two tweaks.
He put the ball and control of the OSU offense into Bias' hands and his faith in Oklahoma State's inside game and his forwards — Toni Young, Lindsey Keller, Kendra Suttles and 6-foot-6 center Vicky McIntyre.
The changes worked and the Cowgirls won three of four, nearly earning a berth in the NCAA women's tournament.
"Until we won the last three conference games, there were a lot of
people that thought come March 7th, we may be mowing the yard or doing
something like that," Littell said "These kids wouldn't quit. They were just saying
'Hey, we're not ready for our year to be over.'"
Saturday, OSU won its first WNIT championship.
They claimed the WNIT crown with six consecutive wins. The Cowgirls never trailed in the second half of any of their WNIT games.
The coaching staff and players hugged one another and smiled after Saturday's championship game as they saluted the OSU fans and honored the Four who died on Nov. 17.
"Our group decided in November that we were going to pay honor, and I
don't think that there's any question that these ladies paid honor and
did things right," Littell said.
The Cowgirls did one more thing right.
Kurt Budke's widow, Shelley, made the final snip when the Cowgirls cut down the nets.
"We wouldn't have had it any other way. She's been a rock for us, they way she's been there for these kids, and been there for the coaches. I commend her for that. I don't know how she's done it sometimes," Littell said. "I've known her for a long time. She played for me and (she is) just a special lady and we love her to death."
COWGIRL NOTES: Bias scored 17 points and had 11 assists. She broke Andrea Riley's single season assist record during Saturday's game.
Young was selected as the WNIT's MVP and OSU freshman Liz Donohoe was selected to the All-Tournament team.
