JimBob
03-04-2009, 08:46 AM
Cowboys keep rolling
OSU makes case for NCAAs with its sixth straight Big 12 victory
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Published: 3/4/2009 2:21 AM
Last Modified: 3/4/2009 6:27 AM
STILLWATER — Want to know what torture is? To be a senior and be forced to sit on the bench and watch teammates decide your fate in your last regular season home game.
That was Terrel Harris' predicament. The senior starter fouled out with 5:30 left.
But Byron Eaton, Oklahoma State's other senior starter, escorted Harris off the court after the fifth foul and said "I've got you. I won't lose this game for you."
Eaton kept his word. The senior point guard scored 25 points and repeatedly drew fouls while breaking Kansas State's defensive pressure, making 15-of-15 free throws in a 77-71 Senior Night victory Tuesday at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
"I think it was kind of a typical Byron Eaton performance," OSU coach Travis Ford said. "He put us on his shoulders when we needed it."
All five OSU starters scored in double figures and Obi Muonelo and James Anderson hit big 3-pointers in the last 2:37 that allowed the Cowboys to crack open a close game.
Every college hoops squad wants to send seniors out on a good note. But way more was at stake than just bidding adieu to Eaton, Harris and senior reserve Anthony Brown.
OSU and Kansas State entered the game as alleged NCAA Tournament bubble teams. It isn't far-fetched to say the physical, ESPN2-televised grudge match was an NCAA elimination game.
But Eaton shook off a second-half head injury and quarterbacked OSU to a sixth consecutive victory that clinched the Cowboys' first winning record in league play since 2005. Ford's team improved to 20-9 overall and 9-6 in Big 12 games prior to a regular-season finale Saturday at Oklahoma.
Kansas State applied fullcourt pressure to Eaton in an attempt to create turnovers and fatigue the floor general. Eaton took Ford's advice and attacked the pressure, but he crashed to the floor and hit the back of his head on the bottom of the scorer's table when he was fouled by Jamar Samuels with 10:33 left.
Eaton said he was "really in a daze" for a second. OSU officials checked his eyes for signs of a concussion and asked him a series of questions to determine whether he was lucid: Do you know where you are? What happened? What day is it?
"I was answering the questions as fast as I could so I could get back out there and play," Eaton said.
Eaton returned to the court 71 seconds (of game time) after he left. He said wanted to keep his promise to Harris because their roles were reversed in a Saturday game against Texas. Eaton fouled out of that game with 5:01 left, and Harris said he wouldn't let the Cowboys lose.
Eaton returned the favor and was willing to give an assist to the crowd.
The score was tied with 3:54 left, and Kansas State (20-10, 8-7) made one field goal the rest of the way.
Said Eaton, "I think those guys got really nervous when they heard our crowd get as loud as they got and they started doing some things they don't normally do."
OSU makes case for NCAAs with its sixth straight Big 12 victory
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Published: 3/4/2009 2:21 AM
Last Modified: 3/4/2009 6:27 AM
STILLWATER — Want to know what torture is? To be a senior and be forced to sit on the bench and watch teammates decide your fate in your last regular season home game.
That was Terrel Harris' predicament. The senior starter fouled out with 5:30 left.
But Byron Eaton, Oklahoma State's other senior starter, escorted Harris off the court after the fifth foul and said "I've got you. I won't lose this game for you."
Eaton kept his word. The senior point guard scored 25 points and repeatedly drew fouls while breaking Kansas State's defensive pressure, making 15-of-15 free throws in a 77-71 Senior Night victory Tuesday at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
"I think it was kind of a typical Byron Eaton performance," OSU coach Travis Ford said. "He put us on his shoulders when we needed it."
All five OSU starters scored in double figures and Obi Muonelo and James Anderson hit big 3-pointers in the last 2:37 that allowed the Cowboys to crack open a close game.
Every college hoops squad wants to send seniors out on a good note. But way more was at stake than just bidding adieu to Eaton, Harris and senior reserve Anthony Brown.
OSU and Kansas State entered the game as alleged NCAA Tournament bubble teams. It isn't far-fetched to say the physical, ESPN2-televised grudge match was an NCAA elimination game.
But Eaton shook off a second-half head injury and quarterbacked OSU to a sixth consecutive victory that clinched the Cowboys' first winning record in league play since 2005. Ford's team improved to 20-9 overall and 9-6 in Big 12 games prior to a regular-season finale Saturday at Oklahoma.
Kansas State applied fullcourt pressure to Eaton in an attempt to create turnovers and fatigue the floor general. Eaton took Ford's advice and attacked the pressure, but he crashed to the floor and hit the back of his head on the bottom of the scorer's table when he was fouled by Jamar Samuels with 10:33 left.
Eaton said he was "really in a daze" for a second. OSU officials checked his eyes for signs of a concussion and asked him a series of questions to determine whether he was lucid: Do you know where you are? What happened? What day is it?
"I was answering the questions as fast as I could so I could get back out there and play," Eaton said.
Eaton returned to the court 71 seconds (of game time) after he left. He said wanted to keep his promise to Harris because their roles were reversed in a Saturday game against Texas. Eaton fouled out of that game with 5:01 left, and Harris said he wouldn't let the Cowboys lose.
Eaton returned the favor and was willing to give an assist to the crowd.
The score was tied with 3:54 left, and Kansas State (20-10, 8-7) made one field goal the rest of the way.
Said Eaton, "I think those guys got really nervous when they heard our crowd get as loud as they got and they started doing some things they don't normally do."