RECAP: Oklahoma State Picks Up Overtime Victory 96-87 over Iowa State

It took an extra period, but Oklahoma State picked up its first conference win over Iowa State. The 96-87 victory couldn’t have been better for the Cowboys, as they avoided falling to 0-3 in the Big 12 conference, which is essentially a death sentence in the best men’s basketball conference in America.

The Cowboys got out to a quick start, jumping all over the Cyclones, thanks to a 9-0 run to put them up 12-4 early in the half. The Cowboys kept their foot on the gas pedal, opening up a 14-point advantage with 9:27 left in the half.

The Cowboys built up the lead to 30-17, then the wheels fell off.

The Cowboys went cold like Minnesota (it’s been above 0 degrees only once in the last 10 days or so) and didn’t score for 5:34. Meanwhile, the Cyclones went on a 17-0 run to eliminate the Cowboy lead and take a lead of their own. Brandon Averette hit a jumper with five seconds left in the half to send the Cowboys to the break trailing by two.

Coach Boynton appeared to rally the troops at halftime, as OSU scored six straight points to open the half, however, it would be a dogfight from then to the end. The Cowboys built up the lead to six, but were unable to slam the door.

Iowa State clawed back into the game and had an 8-point lead with 1:32 left in the game, but the Pokes refused to give in. Boynton’s squad went on a 9-0 run to take the lead. The Cyclones had a 2-point lead with 13 seconds left, but Kendall Smith hit the clutch jumper to force overtime.

In the extra frame, Iowa State scored four quick points, but then it was all Cowboys. The Cyclones wouldn’t get another field goal in the final 3:50 of the game. It was Cam McGriff who hit two free throws to claim the lead for good for the Pokes.

Free throw shooting was key tonight. The Cowboys hit eight of their nine free throw attempts in OT, taking advantage of the uncontested opportunities.

Carroll led the Cowboys with 24 points tonight. He shot 8-of-15 from the floor (3-of-6 from three) and 5-of-6 from the free throw line. He had eight rebounds and an assist in 37 minutes.

Smith had 20 points tonight to go with five rebounds and five assists. Mitchell Solomon had 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting (only missing a 3-point attempt). He was only one rebound away from a double-double, and added four assists before fouling out of the game.

For the Cyclones, Donovan Jackson was nearly unstoppable. He dropped 30 points, including 18 from beyond the arc and eight (out of nine attempts) from the free throw line. Nick Weiler-Babb was one rebound away from a triple double, ending with 12 points, nine rebounds and 11 assists.

Here’s the final stats.

StatBroadcast

Up next, the Cowboys travel to Lawrence to take on the Kansas State Wildcats. The game will tip off at 7 p.m. and can be seen on ESPNews.