The turning point in Wednesday night’s victory against Oklahoma State happened with 12:15 remaining, an eternity in the basketball world.

At that moment, the Cowgirls — and their fans — stormed back into the game, using a 9-0 run to take a 40-38 lead. In the past, similar punches left Kansas battered and unable to piece together an answer.

But for the second time in as many games, junior forward Danielle McCray provided stability, scoring five consecutive points to give the Jayhawks a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Facing Nebraska inside Allen Fieldhouse tonight at 7 p.m., Kansas will need more of the same.

“We needed somebody like that to step up and want the ball,” senior guard Ivana Catic said. “And not just want the ball for the wrong reasons. She wants the ball and she knows what to do with it.”

In Kansas’ last two games — both victories — McCray has averaged 27 points and nearly 15 rebounds, while making 53 percent of her shots.

Still, the manner in which McCray has scored made those numbers even more staggering.

On Kansas’ final first-half possession, McCray dribbled at the top of the three-point line while Kansas’ other four players lined the baseline.

As the shot clock neared zero, McCray drove to the free throw line before knocking down a tightly contested jump shot to give Kansas a 26-22 lead.

“(Wednesday) night was one of those nights where I just needed to get the ball to D and she was going to do something,” Catic said. “With her, I just know that she’s going to do something.”

McCray has shouldered Kansas’ offensive load throughout the season. Yet, few of her performances have featured such crucial and timely scoring.

When the score tightened and Oklahoma State began surging back into the game, McCray delivered.

“I’m very confident in myself,” McCray said. “Any good player, in the heat of the moment and when things are tough, you want the ball in your hands.”

Yet, in victories against Iowa State and Oklahoma State, McCray displayed a keen sense of timing: When to shoot and when to defer to a teammate.

There’s little doubt that McCray is Kansas’ go-to player — “You pretty much know that if the play breaks down, that’s who you go to,” Catic said — but in previous games Kansas’ supporting cast hasn’t always played its part.

That trend changed in Kansas’ last two games.

“Your entire defense is focused on her,” Catic said, “and then someone else can sneak in and score points.”

Last Sunday against Iowa State, junior guard Sade Morris stepped up by scoring 16 points, including eight straight at the end of the game.

On Wednesday night, sophomore forward Nicollette Smith’s outside shooting and offensive presence inside allowed her to chip in 13 points — all in the second half.

Those added contributions, combined with McCray’s more efficient scoring, have been keys for Kansas’ recent turnaround.

“Danielle’s made better decisions about shot selection and has had better rhythm into shots,” coach Bonnie Henrickson said. “The possessions where she has bad footwork have reduced drastically. And she’s shared the ball. Her teammates have executed around her and hit big shots.”

McCray finalist for award

Junior forward Danielle McCray was named a Naismith Trophy Mid-Season candidate, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Wednesday.

McCray is one of 30 Mid-Season finalists and one of six finalists from the Big 12.

— —Edited by Liz Schubauer