The momentum for Oklahoma State on Monday night in Gallagher-Iba Arena was loud and uphill — until it wasn’t.
With 3:02 left in the first quarter, Texas Southern’s Tiana Mathis fell near the restricted area after missing a put-back layup. She immediately grabbed the back of her head as the Cowgirls headed toward their basket in transition.
Mathis stayed down. TSU head coach Vernette Skeete walked out onto the court and prayed for Mathis while athletic trainers tended to her.
Mathis was crying out in pain. Her cries were more evident with GIA's silence.
She was later taken off the floor on a stretcher with a neck brace on.