Achol Akot leads Oklahoma State past Princeton in NCAA Tournament

Cowgirls advance to second round after 82-68 victory

Mar. 22, 2026 at 7:49am

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Achol Akot scored a season-high 28 points on 12-of-15 shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds as eighth-seeded Oklahoma State defeated ninth-seeded Princeton 82-68 in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament in Los Angeles. The Cowgirls shot 52.5% from the field and led by as many as 15 points in the first half before holding off a late Princeton rally.

Why it matters

This win advances Oklahoma State to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, where they will face the winner of the California Baptist-UCLA matchup. The Cowgirls' strong performance, led by Akot's breakout game, shows they have the talent to make a deep run in the tournament.

The details

Achol Akot paced Oklahoma State with 28 points on 12-of-15 shooting and 10 rebounds. Jaydn Wooten added 18 points off the bench, while Micah Gray and Haleigh Timmer also scored in double figures for the Cowgirls. Princeton was led by Madison St. Rose's 17 points, with Ashley Chea and Skye Belker each contributing 14 points. Oklahoma State dominated the glass, outrebounding the Tigers 35-26 and grabbing 11 offensive boards.

  • The game was played on March 22, 2026 in Los Angeles.

The players

Achol Akot

A standout forward for Oklahoma State who scored a season-high 28 points in the win over Princeton.

Jaydn Wooten

An Oklahoma State player who came off the bench to score 18 points in the victory.

Madison St. Rose

A Princeton player who led the Tigers with 17 points in the loss.

Ashley Chea

A Princeton player who scored 14 points in the team's NCAA Tournament defeat.

Skye Belker

A Princeton player who also scored 14 points in the losing effort against Oklahoma State.

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What they’re saying

“Achol Akot really stepped up for us today. Her performance was crucial in getting this win and advancing to the next round.”

— Jim Littell, Oklahoma State Head Coach

What’s next

Oklahoma State will face the winner of the California Baptist-UCLA matchup in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Monday.

The takeaway

Oklahoma State's dominant performance, led by Achol Akot's career game, shows they have the talent and depth to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. The Cowgirls will look to continue their strong play as they advance to the second round.