As the final seconds ticked away, and the aisles inside Gallagher-Iba Arena filled with orange- and black-clad fans, Kansas’ players and coaches stood, applauding in an otherwise silent gym.

The faint clapping and screams may have been Kansas’ most important cheers all year. In a season characterized by losing games late — and with a 14-game road conference losing streak clinging to their backs — the Jayhawks shed both trends by defeating Oklahoma State 67-52.

“When they went on a run, we stayed tough,” sophomore forward Nicollette Smith said. “We didn’t separate like weak teams do. That’s what got us through the end of the game.”

Kansas has often used hindsight to recount missed opportunities this season. The Jayhawks have suffered four-game losing streaks twice since starting Big 12 play.

But since the start of this month, coach Bonnie Henrickson has been preaching a simple message to her team: February serves as a tipping point.

“I’m a firm believer that in February you don’t stay the same,” Henrickson said. “You either get worse or you get better. Teams don’t stay the same. In February, you’re either playing for something or you’ve lost the chance to play for something.”

Every indication hints that the Jayhawks are getting better.

Photo Gallery

Kansas Women's Basketball vs. Oklahoma State

A photo gallery of the women's basketball game against Oklahoma State on Wednesday February 25th in Stillwater, Okla.

Fresh off an upset of then-No. 21 Iowa State on Sunday, Kansas used an aggressive defensive effort and timely scoring from junior forward Danielle McCray to pull away from Oklahoma State.

McCray, who ranks second the in conference in scoring average, keyed Kansas’ offense by tying a career-high with 30 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.

That McCray made 9-of-13 attempts is impressive. That she did so at crucial times in the game with defenders draped on her is even more so.

“She hit tough shots. I mean, she never got an easy look,” Henrickson said. “I thought they got up in her and she hit tough shots and big shots.”

In previous games, the second half has spelled doom for Kansas. At times on Wednesday, that trend appeared to take form.

Oklahoma State cut Kansas’ lead to just two with slightly less than four minutes left. But the Jayhawks responded, scoring the final 13 points.

“We fought back,” junior guard Sade Morris said. “Teams are going to make runs, but we think we have more in us than they do. They made that run in the second half but we were like ‘OK, we just have to find a way to score and get a stop.’ That’s what we did a great job of doing.”

Throughout the game, Kansas consistently answered Oklahoma State’s runs.

Late in the first half, with Kansas’ offense struggling against Oklahoma State’s zone defense, McCray scored 12 of the Jayhawks’ final 15 points. Kansas led 26-22 at halftime despite 14 turnovers.

“There were probably three of four situations in the second half where we just grew up, had the toughness and competed to get a win on the road,” Henrickson said.

The Jayhawks held Oklahoma State guard Andrea Riley to 18 points — the first time she’s been held to under 20 points in 10 games.

Two weeks ago, that defensive focus and toughness was nonexistent. But, in its past two games, Kansas has placed more emphasis on playing aggressive, hard-nosed defense.

“We all came together tonight as a team,” McCray said. “We all stayed together and that’s the main thing on the road. I think we deserve it with how hard we’ve been putting in time, and we’ve believed in ourselves.”

— — Edited by Andrew Wiebe