Oklahoma State Drops Legends Classic Opener 66-64 to St. Bonaventure

(Pokes Report publisher Robert Allen contributed to this story that originated with Oklahoma State University athletic media relations.)

BROOKYLN, N.Y.  — Despite 15 points from freshman Eric Dailey Jr., Oklahoma State dropped a 66-64 heartbreaker to St. Bonaventure Thursday night at the Legends Classic. John-Michael Wright added 14 points for the Cowboys (1-2) and Javon Small handed out seven assists but missed a corner three for the win as time expired.

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Dailey with a first half slam.

Mika Adams-Woods led St. Bonaventure (2-1) with 17 points to go with Assa Essamvous’ 13 points and seven rebounds.

The Cowboys appeared to be in control near the midway point of the second half. Dailey scored seven points during a 14-0 run that lifted OSU to a 45-35 advantage with 12:38 to play.

After going more than six minutes without a field goal, the Bonnies connected on 8-of-10. Banks drove for a layup to tie the game at 46 with just under 9:00 left and then hit a three for the lead.

“I got sick to my stomach watching that we held them without a field goal the last five minutes of the game and still lost a four-point lead,” OSU head coach Mike Boynton said after the game. “Disappointing for sure. It’s a game we felt like we did enough throughout the course of the game to come out with a quality win and didn’t close very well.” 

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The Bonnies did a defensive number on Small.

The Cowboys were hampered by the defensive effort that St. Bonaventure put on Cowboys point guard Javon Small to limit his effectiveness. They were also hurt by the absence in the second half of veteran guard Bryce Thompson. Thompson was seen favoring a knee in the first half and did not play in the seocnd half.

Adams-Woods’ 3-pointer with 4:50 remaining was the last St. Bonaventure field goal of the night, but the Bonnies connected on 6-of-7 free throws.

The two really egregious fouls were Marsh mugging Mika Adams-Woods after being frustrated by Adam-Woods out battling the Pokes for a rebound. The devastating foul was John Michael-Wright fouling Daryl Banks III on a three-point shot and Banks made all three free throws to give the Bonnies the lead.

Quion Williams gave Oklahoma State the lead with 37.6 seconds left on a contested layup. But the Cowboys fouled Banks III on a long 3-pointer at the other end, leading to three free throws for a 65-64 lead.

Small drove the baseline for a reverse layup but came up short as Noel Brown secured the rebound before getting fouled. Brown missed St. Bonaventure's first free throw of the second half — in 12 attempts — but made the second. Small had a good look at a step-back 3-pointer at the buzzer but it rattled out.

The Cowboys will compete for third place at the Legends Classic tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. CT (4:30 p.m. ET) as they square off against Notre Dame. The Irish lost to Auburn 83-79 in the second game on Thursday night. The Irish were led by guard J.R. Konieczny with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Play will be televised on ESPNU.