Oklahoma State Basketball Drops Fifth Straight Big 12 Game After Loss to Kansas State
Oklahoma State basketball continues to struggle in Big 12 conference play. After an 0-4 start to conference play this season, the Cowboys hit the road to take on Kansas State in Manhattan. The Cowboys desperately needed a win, and they switched things up in the starting lineup to try to help them do just that.
The Cowboys started freshman Connor Dow, sending another freshman, Eric Dailey, to the bench. This improved the spacing in the lineup and let Dailey come off the bench to provide a spark. Still, the Cowboys lost 70-66 as they fall to 0-5 in their Big 12 schedule.
It was a close, back-and-forth first half that saw the Cowboys lead 35-31 at the break as neither team was able to build any sort of lead. Coming off the bench, though, Dailey scored 11 first-half points to help Oklahoma State get a leg up by the break.
The Cowboys then continued their similar energy throughout the second half, as they didn't give up their lead until the three-and-a-half minute mark, where Kansas State knocked down a big 3-pointer to take a lead.
Evidently, the game came down to a one-possession game under the 30-second mark. With under two seconds on the shot clock, Kansas State lobbed an inbounds pass to a layup to take a 68-66 lead.
With 24.8 seconds left, the Cowboys had an opportunity to tie the game or take a lead. John-Michael Wright coughed the ball up and turned it over with 11 seconds left. Kansas State then was fouled, taking a four-point lead.
Dailey led the Cowboys in scoring for the game, despite coming off the bench, with 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Dow, who started in his place, hit a timely three and provided floor spacing to the lineup.
Quion Williams continued to do the dirty work as he tallied four offensive rebounds to help the Cowboys win the rebound battle with 31 rebounds to Kansas State's 24 rebounds.
Despite the loss, the Cowboys played a much more encouraging game, though they can't get away from costly turnovers and finding ways to lose games rather than close them out.
The Cowboys next take action on Tuesday as they host No. 19 TCU in what will be another big test for Oklahoma State.
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Kade has been covering a wide variety of teams ranging from the NFL to the NBA and college athletics since joining Sports Illustrated's On SI in 2022