Cowgirls Fall to No. 1 UCLA 87-68 in NCAA Tournament Second Round

Despite second-round exit, Cowgirls close Year 4 with first NCAA win under Hoyt and a promising roster returning

Daniel Allen

Mar 24, 2026 - 2 min read

Oklahoma State junior forward Achol Akot (11) and UCLA center Lauren Betts (51) during the Cowgirls' 87-68 loss to the top-seeded Bruins in the NCAA Tournament second round Monday at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles. Akot finished with 23 points, while Betts posted a career-high 35 to lead UCLA. – Photo Courtesy OSU Athletics

Cowgirls Fall to No. 1 UCLA 87-68 in NCAA Tournament Second Round — Oklahoma State junior forward Achol Akot (11) and UCLA center Lauren Betts (51) during the Cowgirls' 87-68 loss to the top-seeded Bruins in the NCAA Tournament second round Monday at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles. Akot finished with 23 points, while Betts posted a career-high 35 to lead UCLA. – Photo Courtesy OSU Athletics

The Cowgirls squared off with top-seeded UCLA, but ultimately, the Bruins' height advantage and plethora of offensive firepower was too much to overcome.

No. 8 Oklahoma State lost to UCLA 87-68 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Monday at Pauley Pavilion, bringing an end to Year 4 of the Jacie Hoyt era in Stillwater.

Free to read. Your email is the key.

Every story on The Stillwegian is free — city hall, local businesses, community events, and the people who make Stillwater what it is. Sign up with your email for full access to all our reporting and the complete archive. No payment, no subscription.

Already a member? Sign in