OSU Basketball: Three Takeaways From Oklahoma State's Loss to Oklahoma
The Oklahoma State Cowboys are now 12-15 on the basketball season and 4-10 in Big 12 play as they've got four remaining basketball games on the season. They did so in an 84-82 loss to the Oklahoma Sooners in the final Bedlam battle for the near future.
The game helped the Sooners even out their Big 12 record at 7-7 as they're now 19-8 on the season. For the Cowboys, their two-game winning streak came to a halt as they look to continue finishing out the season strong.
Fitting ending to Bedlam
Again, this is the last scheduled Bedlam matchup for the near future as the Sooners are set to depart to the SEC for the next basketball season. The in-state rivalry series provides incredible matchups across all sports, and it was only fitting for the game to end this way.
The Cowboys had a chance to win the game with mere seconds left, but Javon Small missed a crucial free throw that would have given Oklahoma State the lead. The Sooners then capitalized in overtime as Javian McCollum nailed a last-second 3-pointer to give the Sooners their two-point victory.
Given the nature and history behind the matchup for the two programs, a go-ahead prayer of a shot going in to end the game was only fitting.
Small, Williams and Dailey shine in the loss
While the Cowboys didn't finish the game on top, both Javon Small and Quion Williams had incredible performances. Both players had 21 points apiece, doing so in an efficient fashion.
Small played 44 minutes, scoring his 21 points on 10-of-16 shooting while adding five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Williams scored his 21 points while shooting 8-of-13 from the field and adding eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
Eric Dailey Jr. had the most efficient game, scoring 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting, adding nine rebounds, four assists and a steal.
Looking forward
The next few weeks provide a big opportunity for the Cowboys. They took the Sooners to the wire after two straight wins, and have an opportunity to bounce back against UCF in a few days.
The young Cowboys team, led by Mike Boynton, is seeming to find their stride and a bit of an identity late in the season. Continuing to finish the season strong is crucial for Boynton and the young squad for the future outlook of his job security and the program as a whole.
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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