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While technically exhibitions don’t really count, Oklahoma State came away with a 75-63 win against Rogers State on Friday night at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
The Cowboy newcomers combined for 44 points off the bench with Hidde Roessink and Kalib Boone scoring 13 points apiece. Boone added six rebounds (two offensive and four defensive) and six blocked shots. OSU coach Mike Boynton was happy with Boone’s performance.
“That kid has a lot of upside. I think we saw some glimpses of it tonight. I’m glad our fans were able to see the type of play that we’ve been witnessing in practice every day. He is going to be a guy that is going to be a force for a long time as soon as we can get his body up to speed and help him understand positioning defensively when he is defending a guy in the post.” {okstate.com}
Boone can also dunk (just pretend that “I Believe I can Fly” is playing in the background):
ICYMI: @kalibboone32 proved that cowboys can in fact fly. #LetsWork | #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/m4DmpLjTya
— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) November 2, 2019
Roessink was the guy Boynton said had the greatest impact in practice and he delivered in his Cowboy debut. In addition to tying Boone for the team lead in points, Roessink had five rebounds. Avery Anderson lead the team in assists.
For a time Boynton had an entire new kids on the block lineup, and they were out there to impress.
The defense from the rookies was a bit sloppy as noted by writer Zach McCoy.
Freshman doing a little too much lazy passive defense (late hands-up contests only) towards the end that they probably got away with in high school. Even against D2 that's not usually gonna cut it.
— Zach McCoy (@ZachMcCoy371) November 2, 2019
This is something that will definitely need to be cleaned up before Big 12 play starts.
Aside from Boone and Roessink, rebounding was something the Cowboys struggled with. Take away their 11 and OSU only had 25 rebounds total.
Cam McGriff is still up to crime dog things. McGriff had 11 points to lead the starting line up. He’s windmill dunking while he’s add it.
First of many jams from Cam #LetsWork | #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/f3FtPkKNdu
— Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) November 2, 2019
Yor Anei and Thomas Dizagwa had five points each. Lindy Waters didn’t have the greatest night with only two points, he did have five assists though. Isaac Likekele had eight points.
Defensively the Cowboys held Rogers State to 32 percent shooting from the field despite the Hilltoppers going on a 11-2 run and closing the Cowboys’ lead to a point with 6 minutes, 13 seconds to go in the first half.
Up next
The Cowboys open the season at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6 against Oral Roberts at GIA.