JimBob
01-22-2008, 09:16 AM
Missed opportunity
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
1/22/2008
Last Modified: 1/22/2008 9:36 AM
Second-half offense fails
STILLWATER -- Oklahoma State usually puts its best foot forward in home games against Big 12 South Division opponents, and that's especially true when Texas comes to Gallagher-Iba Arena.
This time, the Cowboys' offense went south just when they needed it most.
OSU managed two field goals and seven points in the last eight minutes of a 63-61 loss to 12th-ranked Texas in an ESPN-televised "Big Monday" game.
"Make no mistake," OSU coach Sean Sut ton said.
"I'm disappointed we lost the game because I felt like we would win the game. But they played their butts off. That's all you can ask for as a coach."
OSU had won 18 of its previous 21 home games against Big 12 south foes and had beaten ranked Texas teams at Gallagher-Iba each of the last two seasons, including a 105-103 triple-overtime classic last season.
The Cowboys fell behind by 12 points late in the first half of this game and rallied to lead by as many as three points in the second half.
Then came the drought that doomed OSU to records of 10-8 overall and 1-3 in Big 12 games. The Cowboys failed to score on seven consecutive possessions, going six minutes and 15 seconds between points.
Included in that span were two shot clock violations and two misses on the front end of one-and-ones.
Meanwhile, Texas' D.J. Augustin was delivering the kind of finishing kick to justify being called the country's best point guard by Sutton.
Augustin scored his team's final 10 points over the last 7:18 and finished with 26 points.
Damion James added 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Longhorns, who improved to 15-3 and 2-1.
Despite the late dry spell and despite shooting 38.2 percent from the field, OSU had a chance to tie the score in the final seconds.
Texas led 61-58 after a pair of Augustin free throws with 21.2 seconds left. James Anderson, who scored his most points (17) ever in a Big 12 game, missed a tying 3-point attempt from the corner and Marcus Dove missed a 2-point shot following an offensive rebound.
"James had a great look," Sutton said.
Dove fouled Augustin with 5.7 seconds left and Augustin hit two free throws to make it a five-point game. Obi Muonelo swished a quick 3-pointer to get OSU within two points with 1.8 seconds left and Texas clinched the outcome by successfully inbounding the ball.
OSU limited Texas, which No. 18 in field goal percentage, to 41.2 percent shooting and 22 second-half points, fewest by a Cowboy opponent since Dec. 31. The Cowboys also committed just 11 turnovers.
"I told our guys if we will play with this mindset on the defensive end and have the same determination to take care of the basketball and make sure we are not wasting possessions, I think we can still go on and win a lot of basketball games this season," Sutton said.
"I felt a lot better tonight after the Baylor and Iowa State games and we were in position to win both of those games on the road and didn't. But tonight I thought our guys really fought and I'm sorry that we couldn't figure out a way to win the game for them."
By JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
1/22/2008
Last Modified: 1/22/2008 9:36 AM
Second-half offense fails
STILLWATER -- Oklahoma State usually puts its best foot forward in home games against Big 12 South Division opponents, and that's especially true when Texas comes to Gallagher-Iba Arena.
This time, the Cowboys' offense went south just when they needed it most.
OSU managed two field goals and seven points in the last eight minutes of a 63-61 loss to 12th-ranked Texas in an ESPN-televised "Big Monday" game.
"Make no mistake," OSU coach Sean Sut ton said.
"I'm disappointed we lost the game because I felt like we would win the game. But they played their butts off. That's all you can ask for as a coach."
OSU had won 18 of its previous 21 home games against Big 12 south foes and had beaten ranked Texas teams at Gallagher-Iba each of the last two seasons, including a 105-103 triple-overtime classic last season.
The Cowboys fell behind by 12 points late in the first half of this game and rallied to lead by as many as three points in the second half.
Then came the drought that doomed OSU to records of 10-8 overall and 1-3 in Big 12 games. The Cowboys failed to score on seven consecutive possessions, going six minutes and 15 seconds between points.
Included in that span were two shot clock violations and two misses on the front end of one-and-ones.
Meanwhile, Texas' D.J. Augustin was delivering the kind of finishing kick to justify being called the country's best point guard by Sutton.
Augustin scored his team's final 10 points over the last 7:18 and finished with 26 points.
Damion James added 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Longhorns, who improved to 15-3 and 2-1.
Despite the late dry spell and despite shooting 38.2 percent from the field, OSU had a chance to tie the score in the final seconds.
Texas led 61-58 after a pair of Augustin free throws with 21.2 seconds left. James Anderson, who scored his most points (17) ever in a Big 12 game, missed a tying 3-point attempt from the corner and Marcus Dove missed a 2-point shot following an offensive rebound.
"James had a great look," Sutton said.
Dove fouled Augustin with 5.7 seconds left and Augustin hit two free throws to make it a five-point game. Obi Muonelo swished a quick 3-pointer to get OSU within two points with 1.8 seconds left and Texas clinched the outcome by successfully inbounding the ball.
OSU limited Texas, which No. 18 in field goal percentage, to 41.2 percent shooting and 22 second-half points, fewest by a Cowboy opponent since Dec. 31. The Cowboys also committed just 11 turnovers.
"I told our guys if we will play with this mindset on the defensive end and have the same determination to take care of the basketball and make sure we are not wasting possessions, I think we can still go on and win a lot of basketball games this season," Sutton said.
"I felt a lot better tonight after the Baylor and Iowa State games and we were in position to win both of those games on the road and didn't. But tonight I thought our guys really fought and I'm sorry that we couldn't figure out a way to win the game for them."