One More Tune-Up Game For Pokes Before Big 12 Gauntlet

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State has one more game remaining on its non-conference list as the Pokes play host to Oral Roberts on Sunday afternoon. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT and will be streamed on ESPN+.

The Cowboys are coming off a 66-61 win over Tarleton State, a game in which the Cowboys had to battle back from being down 12 points to the Texans. Jamyron Keller hit a layup with 14:14 left to go in the game to tie it up at 35, with the Pokes taking the lead a few seconds later on a three from Arturo Dean, keeping the lead the rest of the game.

With the win, the Cowboys moved to 7-3 on the season, and are now averaging 78 points per game, while holding opponents to just under 75 points per game. They’re shooting at a 44% clip from the floor, 34% from 3-point range and nearly 74% from the free throw line.

As for the Golden Eagles, they’re 3-8 on the season and are averaging 72 points per game on 42% shooting from the floor, 35% from 3-point range and 76% from the free throw line. They’re allowing nearly 76 points per game on the other end of the floor.

The Cowboys struggled to find any rhythm in the 80-65 loss to Oklahoma last weekend, something that carried over into the game against Tarleton State. They struggled shooting the ball as they combined to shoot 24% from the floor and 18% from 3-point range in the first half. They played much better in the second half as they shot nearly 58% from the floor and 50% from 3-point range but the Big 12 won’t allow for that type of shooting discrepancy.

The Pokes start Big 12 play off against Houston on Dec. 30, who’s 7-3 on the season and No. 15 in the country. They lost three early games in November, 74-69 to No. 11 Auburn, 85-80 to No. 9 Alabama in overtime and 73-70 to San Diego State in the Players Era Festival.