Defense Dooms BYU Against Oklahoma State

The Cougars dropped a pivotal game at Oklahoma State on Saturday

On Saturday, no. 19 BYU basketball trailed last-place Oklahoma State from start to finish in a 93-83 loss. This was a critical game for BYU who is fighting for position in the not only the conference standings, but in the NCAA tournament. Ice-cold shooting from three doomed the Cougars and was the difference in the game. BYU shot 8-35 from three. Meanwhile, Oklahoma State shot 11-22 from three. This is the first Q3 loss of the season, something that will hurt BYU on Selection Sunday.

BYU simply didn't get enough production from its starters against Oklahoma State. BYU's starting five was outscored 85-44.

This was BYU's worst defensive outing of the season. Oklahoma State ranked last in the conference in scoring coming into this game. The Cowboys scored 93, their highest scoring output in conference play. Anytime BYU tried to go on a run, they couldn't string together enough stops to cut into Oklahoma State's lead.

BYU is now 6-6 in conference play. A win in this game would have put BYU at fourth in the conference standings. Instead, BYU is stuck in the middle of the pack with a difficult stretch of games ahead. Now it's an uphill battle to get to .500 in conference play. BYU has six games on the schedule remaining:

• vs no. 12 Baylor
• at Kansas State
• at no. 6 Kansas
• vs TCU
• at no. 10 Iowa State
• vs Oklahoma State

BYU doesn't have time to dwell on the loss. The Cougars return home where they will play no. 12 Baylor on Tuesday.

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