What looked like an Anna Gret Asi three-pointer to tie the game at 15 was called back.
Then, an offensive foul on Stailee Heard, her second of the game.
With 2:27 left in the first quarter, Heard was on the bench, where she would remain for the rest of the first half.
With Heard on the bench, Oklahoma State would have to find the catalyst of their offense.
However, the Cowgirls could not generate offense and turned the ball over nine times with Heard on the bench. Houston was able to capitalize on the OSU turnovers, turning those turnovers into 12 points in transition and taking an 11-point lead into the locker room.