It’s been an emotional week for Longhorn Nation, but the grind does not stop. Not since Big 12 conference play started.
It was a turbulent day for the Big 12 in basketball, and this game was no different. The Oklahoma State Cowboys [11 – 5 (2 – 2 Big 12)] hosted the Texas Longhorns [11 – 5 (1 – 3 Big 12)] in Stillwater and both teams desperately needed to leave with a win if they wish to compete in the Big 12 and make the big dance later this season.
The first half was the Eric Davis Jr. show, finishing with 15 points in the first half and outscoring all 5 Texas starters. The Longhorns eventually started to pull ahead going into halftime, leading the Cowboys 32 – 25.
The second half was a tug-of-war, as the Longhorns tried to pull away ,but the scrappy Cowboys wouldn’t have it. The game stayed within 15 through its entirety, but Oklahoma State would eventually take the lead by 1 with 3:12 left in the game. This was going to be another nail-biter.
DylanOsetkowski would make a nice lay-up and Texas would once again take the lead, the 9th lead change of the night, but would miss the ensuing free throws. The score was 64 – 63 Texas with 1:50 left in the game.
The game would not end in the Longhorns’ favor, as a lay-up by Oklahoma State player Jeffrey Carroll was missed and a second effort by OSU F Yankuba Sima went in. The Cowboys had the lead for good as there was only .06 seconds left.
Matt Coleman rushed the ball out, thanks to the Horns having no timeouts, but by the time he scurried to the OSU arc he fumbled with the ball. Fortunately for him Jericho Sims threw up a last-ditch effort but it did not go in as the Cowboys escaped Stillwater with a victory, 65 – 64.
Mo Bamba was second on the team in scoring, with 11 pts/10 reb/1 stl/2 blk, but continued to struggle with fouling trouble, ending the game with 4 personal fouls.
Dylan Osetkowski had another fine game, finishing with 12 pts/9 reb/1 stl and shot 2/6 from behind the arc as the three-point shot continues to evade the Horns.
Texas [11 – 6 (2 – 3 Big 12)] fought hard all game but the 15-2 run the Cowboys went on to close out the game is what sank the Longorns. Once Oklahoma State [12 – 5 (2 – 3 Big 12)] found their rhythm, Texas needed to keep up the scoring as well but they lost steam and as a result lost the game.
The Longhorns will have plenty of time to rest until their next game, which they will need if they hope to beat in-state rival #8 Texas Tech at the Frank Erwin Center on Wednesday night.
Texas hosts #8 Texas Tech on Wednesday at 7 P.M., airing on LHN.
