At my college back in the day, just as Title IX was being passed, the male athletes were given steak dinners at the cafe the night before big games, especially football, but basketball, and baseball too, but none for female teams. I was a walk-on to our softball team my freshman year, and also worked in the cafeteria to help pay tuition.
Houston averages 77.5 points per game (142nd in college basketball) while giving up 62.3 per outing (second in college basketball). It has a +455 scoring differential overall and outscores opponents by 15.2 points per game. The 77.5 points the Cougars average are 5.0 fewer than the Cowboys give up.
The UCF Knights (10-12) will try to stop a four-game losing streak when they visit the Oklahoma State Cowgirls (18-6) on February 7, 2026 at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Oklahoma State enters this game after a 74-69 defeat against Arizona State. The Cowgirls' leading scorer was Achol Akot, who ended the game with 18 points and nine rebounds. Led by Kristol Ayson with 15 points and eight rebounds last time out, UCF lost 67-57 versus Utah.
In their last game, Oklahoma picked up a 72-65 victory versus Auburn. The Sooners were led by Aaliyah Chavez, who ended the game with 18 points and four assists, while Raegan Beers added 13 points, six rebounds and two steals. With Ny'Ceara Pryor leading the team with 22 points, seven assists and two steals, Texas A&M ended up losing to Missouri 81-70 in their last game.
But as No. 8 Iowa climbed back in Thursday's third quarter, threatening to deal USC another disappointing result, Smith, the Trojans' sophomore leader, took matters into her own hands. She drove once, then again, then again. Four times in a matter of three minutes, Smith attacked the hoop, carrying the weight of USC's weeks-long slump on her shoulders as she did. When the Trojans' attack finally let up, they were well out in front again, rolling to an 81-69 victory.