STILLWATER, Okla. — Jordan Schultz came to Oklahoma State as one of the most heralded recruits of the 2011 recruiting class. The Claremore native rewrote the Claremore High School record books with 1,580 points in her career, but hadn’t scored more than 6 points in a game at Oklahoma State before scoring 11 in Bedlam on Saturday.

“A couple weeks ago coach (Jim) Littell lined us up and asked how many of us were Oklahoma girls and we all raised our hands,” Schultz said. “Then he asked, how many were recruited by Oklahoma, and some of the hands went down. Then he asked, ‘How many of you were offered by Oklahoma?’ and it was just Liz (Donohoe) and Toni (Young). That was a big motivation for us.”

It wasn’t so much that Schultz had a big game on the floor of a team that once spurned her. For Oklahoma State coach Jim Littell, it’s the fact that the freshman is finally starting to feel comfortable that’s made the difference.

“Taylor Schippers and Jordan Schultz have both been on a bit of a rollercoaster ride, and I think that’s indicative of being a freshman in this league,” Littell said. “I like both those kids, they come to the gym and work everyday... Jordan has the ability to shoot the basketball, and when somebody can create open shots for her, that’s what we brought her to Oklahoma State for.”

With her 11-point performance on Saturday, Schultz’s confidence has skyrocketed — something the Cowgirls (12-7, 4-6 Big 12) will need when they take on Texas Tech (16-6, 4-6) at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Gallagher-Iba Arena. Earlier in the year Texas Tech edged Oklahoma State 58-53 in Lubbock, Texas.

But for Schultz and Oklahoma State, the Texas Tech game means more than revenge.

“We played so well, and if we played like we did (against Oklahoma), we’ll beat Texas Tech,” Schultz said. “Coach lined up the rest of the teams on our schedule and showed us who we can beat. If we can win those games, we could get to the (NCAA) tournament.”

In order to beat the Red Raiders at home, both Littell and Schultz know the Cowgirls must step up defensively more than they did against Oklahoma.

 “They definitely got to get better on the defensive end, and they hear that out of me every day in practice,” Littell said. “But they’re working hard to get better, so they will eventually get there.”

Even as a freshman, Schultz shouldered some of the blame for the defensive breakdowns in the Bedlam loss.

“I just know I have to come and play hard,” Schultz said. “My defense hasn’t been as good as it should be, but I knew that if I could turn my points up and hit some open shots I’ll be alright. I definitely have a lot to work on defensively, and we’ve got to go to work this week.”