One and Done: Oklahoma State Can't Hang With UCF in Disappointing End to Season
Oklahoma State’s lone postseason game looked like most of its regular season games.
OSU lost to UCF 77-62 in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament on Saturday. The loss eliminated the Cowboys and was a microcosm of the team’s rough season.
In the first matchup with UCF, OSU struggled in the second half and could not hold onto the lead it had throughout the first half. Although OSU did not lead for much of the first half on Tuesday, a second-half collapse was in the cards again.
The Cowboys had a solid finish to the first half but still had some work to do. Instead, they quickly lost control of the matchup.
UCF began the second half on fire and extended a 16-0 run that started at the end of the first half. After halftime, UCF forced OSU into four turnovers before allowing any points.
Eric Dailey Jr. made a free throw to get the Cowboys on the board, but the Knights extended their run to 21-1 to take a 21-point lead.
Although the game looked similar to OSU’s collapse against BYU in the regular season finale, UCF never allowed it to get close after its big run.
OSU’s struggles in game 32 were the same as they have been all season. Mike Boynton’s team could not get anything to go offensively. With a nine-minute field goal drought spanning both halves, OSU’s hopes of keeping its season alive were over quickly.
UCF threatened to pull away midway through the first half after Darius Johnson nailed a 3-pointer and got fouled. After the media timeout, Johnson missed the free throw, and OSU went on a run to eventually take a late first-half lead.
Behind 11 first-half points from Ibrahim Diallo, the Knights took a four-point lead into halftime. Javon Small and Brandon Garrison both went for eight points in the half to help the Cowboys keep it close.
Although an invitation to another tournament is possible, the Cowboys’ Big 12 Tournament loss was likely their final game this season.
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Ivan is a sports media student at Oklahoma State University. He has covered OSU athletics since 2022 and also covers the OKC Thunder for Inside The Thunder and Thunderous Intentions.