Oklahoma State Falls to Abilene Christian in Home Opener
(Pokes Report publisher Robert Allen contributed to this story.)
STILLWATER, Okla.— The Oklahoma State Cowboys home opener revealed a lot of things about this young, new-look team, unfortunately not many of them on this night were good. The 64-59 loss to the Abilene Christian Wildcats was the first home opening loss in 48 years dating back to 1974. The loss left head coach Mike Boynton and the Cowboys with some heavy evaluating to do. To be fair, the Cowboys played without their expected top two point guards Javon Small and jamyron Keller. Starting the season with a loss to a nonconference opponent is reason for concern and puts the Pokes in a hole to dig out of.
The Wildcats got out to an early lead after turnovers got the best of the Cowboys to start the game. Hunter Jack Madden also helped the early lead with a pair of three-pointers. ACU held on to that lead for most of the game, and it wasn’t contested until late in the second half. Even with two minutes left to play, neither team seemed to want the win more than the other.
At 62-59, the Cowboys had a chance to tie the game. The Wildcats fouled veteran guard Bryce Thompson with less than a minute left, but Thompson missed both. He was 2-of-7 from the line and the team finished 8-of-20 for 40 percent. OSU got the offensive rebound, which didn’t amount to anything when Jarius Hicklen missed a layup.
"I think the weight of being down in that moment, and having to make those plays and having those bounces have to go your way, kind of got to us,” Boynton said
A big reason for the loss was shooting, for Oklahoma State both from the field, beyond the arc, and the free throw percentage. Against ACU, OSU went 8-20 (40%) from the free-throw line. Not only were the young guys on the team missing free shots, but the veterans also missed.
The there were blatant mistakes, like not getting back late in the game and allowing a run out basket when the Cowboys were trying to get the lead back.
The youth of this team is another factor contributing to the early struggles. Although players such as Justin McBride, Brandon Garrison and Eric Dailey Jr. have mass amounts of talent, experience in an environment like Big 12 basketball is what they lack.
The team also struggled from three after going 5-23 (21.7%). It seems as if this team simply needs more time to develop, but that is something they do not have. Not this season, at least.
This is a disasterous way for the season to open but there is no choice other than to push forward. The next game is against a similar opponent that will have Sunday circled with the idea of picking up a win against a Power Five hoops opponent on their home floor. Until they correct the problems opposing teams are going to see Oklahona State as a target.
Next up on Sunday, November 12, are the Sam Houston State Bearcats. Tipoff set for 2 p.m. inside Gallagher-Iba Arena.