TEMPE, Ariz. — With her team trailing 57-55 in overtime and the shot clock ticking down, Georgia freshman guard Jasmine James stepped back and drained a 3-pointer. Minutes later, she did it again to give the No. 5 Lady Dogs a 63-61 lead over No. 4 Oklahoma State.

She scored 14 of her career-high 27 points in overtime as Georgia defeated Oklahoma State 74-71 at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe, Ariz., in the second round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament to advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2007.

Jasmine James and Ashley Houts celebrate after the Lady Bulldogs beat Oklahoma State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Photo courtesy of Arizona State Sports Information.

“I think the word that comes to mind is domination, because that’s what she did in overtime,” said Georgia senior guard Ashley Houts. “She hit some huge shots late and made her free throws. She’s a great player and she really carried us tonight.”

Added senior Angel Robinson: “She played with no fear. She wasn’t afraid to take any shot and in big games like this people were saying, ‘She’s a freshman. She’s a freshman.’ But she’s not a freshman anymore.”

James also hit all eight of her free throws in overtime, and amassed 10 rebounds for her third career double-double.

“There is s much to say about her,” said Georgia head coach Andy Landers, who won his 750th game at Georgia. “The great thing about JJ is that she handles the really, really good and the really, really bad the same way. She’s consistent and when you’re like that and you’re not emotional and you don’t get down on your self when things don’t go well, you have the chance to have the kind of year she has had as a freshman.”

With the exception of a 12-2 run that Georgia (25-8) opened the game with, the game — which featured 15 ties and 15 lead changes — was close throughout. In the second half, neither team held a lead of more than three points.

With three minutes left in the overtime period, Oklahoma State’s Tegan Cunningham fouled out with 25 points, which at the time led the Cowgirls. And with the shooting troubles of OSU star Andrea Riley (9-for-31 from the field) the Lady Dogs breathed a sigh of relief.

“It did give us a sigh of relief because those two scored the bulk of their points and with Cunningham out of the game, Riley was going to be the one taking shots,” said Georgia senior Ashley Houts. “They played a great game, they fought, we fought and we just are fortunate to be where we’re at right now.”

But the Cowgirls (24-11) refused to go quietly, as Riley hit key shots and found themselves down 74-71 with 6.6 seconds left and Houts shooting two free throws. Houts missed them both, and Riley heaved a half-court 3-pointer that rimmed in and out, giving Georgia the hard-fought victory.

“I was a little bit nervous when she shot that last shot,” James said. “But she missed and now I get to go to California.”

And one of the biggest reasons Georgia will be making its second cross-country trip in a week to face No. 1 seed Stanford in Sacramento, Calif., this weekend is because of its rebounding.

In the first five mintues, Georgia outrebounded Oklahoma State 8-1 while racing out to a 12-2 lead. Robinson (15), Porsha Phillips and James (10 each) grabbed double-digit rebounds. And with the missed shots from Riley, that ability proved to be essential.

Georgia freshman Jasmine James (left) hugs senior Ashley Houts after Georgia's 74-71 victory over Oklahoma State. (Photo by: STEVE RODRIGUEZ/Arizona State Sports Communication)

“Meredith [Mitchell] and Ashley did a great job of contesting Riley’s shots and we knew it was going to be so important to clean up those rebounds and everybody just did a great job on the boards,” James said. “It’s a big confidence booster. Coach said the team that went 16-0 came back tonight and we just need to keep up the intensity and keep on winning.”

The biggest thing Landers saw from his team was consistency, which he said is the most important thing come tournament time.

“If you’re inconsistent in the NCAA Tournament, you’re done,” he said. “I saw great consistency as we blew through this thing.”