Oklahoma State returns to the court with a win

The 59-35 victory over Coppin State was more than just a win – it was a triumph:

STILLWATER, Okla. — For the first time in more than a week, the Oklahoma State women’s basketball team felt somewhat normal for a few hours Saturday.

With nine days filled with funerals, memorials and mourning behind them, the Cowgirls played their first game since OSU coach Kurt Budke, assistant Miranda Serna and boosters Olin and Paula Branstetter were killed in a plane crash Nov. 17.

On Saturday, the Cowgirls wore patches on their uniforms of the number “4” that featured the initials of each crash victim and the date of the accident stitched onto the number. Coppin State players wore orange T-shirts emblazoned with the number “4” during their pregame warmups.

“Today was much deeper than the basketball part of it,” OSU interim coach Jim Littell said of the Cowgirls’ 59-35 victory over Coppin State at Gallagher-Iba Arena. “We had a chance to pay honor today.

“Did we play like we are capable of? Definitely not, but it was a step. It’s much, much deeper than a basketball game.”

Video.

Game recap.

I respect their courage.