Oklahoma State Struggles to Hit Shots in 60-56 Overtime Loss to UCF

After leading by as much as 17 points in the first half, Oklahoma State falls to UCF in overtime, 60-56.

With the loss, the Cowboys move to 2-2 on the season and will face the loser of the DePaul-Santa Clara game on Sunday, Nov. 20.

Avery Anderson III had a chance to tie the game up at 57 with :30 left in overtime but split the two to make it a one-point game, 57-56. After a foul on the other end, Ithiel Horton split two free throws as well to put UCF back up two, 58-56.

Moussa Cisse was blocked on a layup attempt with :08 left but the Pokes kept the ball with a chance to at least tie the game. John-Michael Wright had a chance on the baseline, but left the shot short with one second left, leading to two made free throws on the other end to give UCF the 60-56 win.

Poor shooting contributed to the loss as the Cowboys shot just 24% from the field and went 0-of-11 from 3-point range in the second half and just 14.3% from the field in overtime.

On the game, the Cowboys shot just 29% from the field and 10% from 3-point range, while combining to go 20-of-24 from the free throw line. Turnovers and fouls were also an issue for the Pokes as they turned it over 18 times and committed 19 fouls, 10 coming in the second half and three in overtime.

The Cowboys were in control nearly the entirety of the first half. The Knights led a few times early in the half, but that was about it. As expected, the game was incredibly fast paced, with both sides combining for 22 turnovers in the first half, 12 for the Knights and 10 for the Pokes.

Despite the score, the Cowboys were back to struggling from 3-point range. They shot just 25% from beyond the arc in the first half, with the struggles carrying over to the second half.

The Cowboys led by as many as 17 in the first half of play, going up 24-7, which was quickly followed by an 11-0 run going into the break, putting the Pokes up 28-17.

The trio of Avery Anderson III, Bryce Thompson and Caleb Asberry all had six points apiece, with Asberry leading the way shooting 2-of-2 from 3-point range. Moussa Cisse led the way in rebounds with eight.

Cisse finished with his third double-double of the season scoring 14 points and hauling in 14 rebounds.

Both Anderson III and Boone finished in double figures as well, with Anderson III scoring 12 points, with 10 of those points coming from the free throw line, and Boone with 10 points and five rebounds.

Shooting quickly became an issue for the Pokes in the second half as they shot just 17.6% from the field in the first 12 minutes and 0-of-10 from 3-point range. That included two multi-minute scoring and field goal droughts.

After leading 34-19, the Cowboys were outscored 33-18 in the second half, which included multiple multi-minute scoring and field goal droughts throughout the final 20 minutes of regulation.