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Many of the Oklahoma State faithful expected a blowout going into this game. The Cowboys were riding a two game losing steak (each by 17 points). The Sooners came in 13-1 with the lone loss coming in triple overtime at No.1 Kansas. Not much was expected from the Cowboys in this game who lost their senior leader Phil Forte to injury three games into the season. The Sooners came in with high expectations led by potential player of the year Buddy Hield (averaging 26.6 points per game). Hield didn't disappoint, scoring 26 points tonight.
But, this is Bedlam after all.
The second half certainly lived up to the name. The Cowboys outscored the Sooners 41-31 in the second half and had a chance to win it late with 0.8 left on the clock. Unfortunately, Jeffery Carroll missed a game winning three-point attempt at the buzzer.
Freshman guard Jawun Evans was spectacular tonight with a career high and Oklahoma State freshman single game high of 42 points (24 coming in the second half). Evans added to his stat line by grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out six assists. It was a great effort by Evans, but not enough to win it for the Cowboys.
The Sooners were led by their guards: Hield, Cousins, and Woodard, who combined to score 55 of the Sooners 74 points. OU loves to shoot the three-ball and they made 12/28 tonight. They also turned the ball over 19 times (six more than they average on the season). The Sooners shot 75% from the free throw line making 12/16. Their execution wasn't as crisp as it usually is late in games, but they were able to hold on and win a close game.
It's the third straight loss for the Cowboys and it won't get much easier. Next up, they play at Texas this upcoming Saturday. Tonight's game should give the Cowboys some encouragement as they hung around with arguably the best team in the country and had a chance to win it late. If Evans can step up and play anywhere close to the level he played at tonight the Cowboys should prove to be a formidable opponent, but that remains to be seen.