Nick KrugStillwater, Okla. ? The Kansas University men’s basketball team was red hot from the outside in the first half and equally as cold from everywhere to start the second half during Saturday’s 67-62 loss vs. Oklahoma State at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
Behind seven first-half three-pointers, KU built an 11-point lead entering the final 20 minutes, and even when the Cowboys threatened to climb back into it found a way to hit a big bucket to keep the home team at bay.
The second half was all OSU, though, as the Cowboys took advantage of turned-up pressure defense, several transition buckets and some hot three-point shooting of their own to take the lead four minutes into the second half. Although KU quickly tied the game after falling behind, OSU led most of the second half and completely controlled the way the game was played on both ends.
The loss dropped KU to 19-4 overall and 8-2 in Big 12 play. Oklahoma State improved to 16-7 overall and 6-5 in Big 12 play. KU’s lead in the Big 12 race is down to a game over 7-3 Iowa State, which thrashed Texas Tech on Saturday.
Wayne Selden Jr. led KU with 15 points, which included makes on his first four three-point attempts.
Oklahoma State’s fans stormed the floor following the victory for the second year in a row.
Here’s a quick look back at some of the action:
• The game turned when: The Cowboys opened the second half with a little full-court pressure and a lot of fire. After Selden hit a free throw to start the second-half scoring, OSU ripped off 14 straight points to take a 44-42 lead and completely erase KU’s 11-point halftime advantage.
• Offensive highlight: After falling behind by a seven points for the first time all day, the Jayhawks called timeout and then emerged from the stoppage with a set play designed to get Perry Ellis a lob. It worked to perfection, Frank Mason III delivered a pass right on the money and KU trimmed OSU’s lead to 5 with 7:09 to play. Without that bucket, the Cowboys might have run away and hid behind the fuel and fire of the home crowd.
• Defensive highlight: There were plenty of solid defensive plays but few were as big as the charge Devonté Graham took on the run-away train that was Le’Bryan Nash. After a quick run-out by the Cowboys in transition, the 6-7, 235-pound Nash had nothing between him and the bucket but the 6-2, 175-pound Graham. Realizing that, Nash drove right, lowered his shoulder and plowed over Graham, who had guessed right and got his shoulders squared up in front of the charging Cowboy. The official did not hesitate to call it a charge and slap Nash with his second foul at the 10:51 mark of the first half.
• Key stat: KU shot just 10-for-19 from the free throw line, including several misses on one-and-one attempts.
• Up next: The Jayhawks will stay on the road for a 8 p.m. Tuesday meeting with Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas. KU destroyed the Red Raiders 86-54 on Jan. 10 in Lawrence.
— See what people were saying about the game during the KUsports.com live blog.
