Oklahoma State women beat Princeton 82-68 for Jacie Hoyt’s first NCAA Tournament win at OSU
Oklahoma State advances in the NCAA Tournament with 82-68 win over Princeton
Oklahoma State’s women’s basketball team earned an 82-68 victory over Princeton on Sunday, March 22, 2026, securing the program’s first NCAA Tournament win under head coach Jacie Hoyt. The matchup featured No. 8 seed Oklahoma State against No. 9 seed Princeton in first-round play.
The result moved Oklahoma State into the Round of 32 and ended Princeton’s opening-weekend run after the Tigers entered the tournament as the Ivy League’s automatic qualifier.
How the game unfolded
Oklahoma State established early control with a 23-13 first quarter and carried a 48-33 lead into halftime. Princeton responded with a stronger third quarter, outscoring Oklahoma State 20-13, but Oklahoma State steadied in the final period with a 21-15 fourth quarter to close out the win.
The quarter-by-quarter scoring reflected two distinct phases: Oklahoma State’s first-half efficiency and Princeton’s midgame adjustment, followed by Oklahoma State’s ability to reassert pace and execution late.
- First quarter: Oklahoma State 23, Princeton 13
- Halftime: Oklahoma State 48, Princeton 33
- Third quarter: Princeton 20, Oklahoma State 13
- Final: Oklahoma State 82, Princeton 68
What the win means for the Hoyt era
Hoyt, in her fourth season leading the Cowgirls, reached a program milestone with the tournament victory. Oklahoma State has made multiple NCAA Tournament appearances across its women’s basketball history, but this game marked the first tournament win during her tenure in Stillwater.
Oklahoma State’s first NCAA Tournament win under Jacie Hoyt came after a first-half surge and a closing fourth quarter that held off Princeton’s push.
Context: Princeton’s tournament pathway
Princeton entered the NCAA Tournament after winning the Ivy League’s postseason tournament in March, which delivered the league’s automatic bid. The Tigers, seeded ninth, drew Oklahoma State in a matchup that paired a Big 12 program with an Ivy League champion.
What comes next
With the first-round win, Oklahoma State advanced to the Round of 32, continuing its postseason run. The victory also positioned the Cowgirls to build on a tournament resume that now includes a defining NCAA win for this coaching era.