Oklahoma State's Comeback Bid Comes Up Short In 72-63 Loss to No. 5 Houston

Oklahoma State nearly completed an upset on the road at No. 5 Houston as they battled back from a 14-point deficit with just under eight minutes left in the game, 59-45. But four free throws by the Cougars and turnover in the final 30 seconds turned it into a nine-point loss, 72-63.

With the loss, the Cowboys fell to 11-11 on the season and 3-8 in Big 12 play.

The Pokes turned a 14-point deficit with just under eight minutes left into a six-point deficit with 1:15 left in the game following an and-one bucket by Bryce Thompson, making it 66-60. That made it seven-straight made field goals by the Pokes. 

With just 29 seconds left, following a bucket in the paint by LJ Cryer, Thompson hit a wide-open Arturo Dean on the wing, who drilled a three to cut it to just five points for the first time since the 1:41 mark of the first half when Houston led 35-30.

Four Cowboys finished with double figures, with Abou Ousmane leading the way with 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the floor, with four rebounds. Arturo Dean finished with 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the floor with four assists, Bryce Thompson finished with 11 points on 50% shooting from the floor with four assists and Marchelus Avery finished with 10 points on 50% shooting from the floor.

As a team, the Cowboys finished shooting an impressive 51% from the floor and nearly 37% from 3-point range. 

The difference in the game came in the paint as the Cougars outrebounded the Pokes 40-24, 18 of which came on the offensive end, leading to 16 second chance points for the Cougars. The Cowboys had just four offensive boards and zero second chance points. 

It was, however, a fairly even game in terms of turnovers as it was 11-10 in favor of Houston, but the Cowboys scored 17 points compared to 16 by the Cougars on said turnovers. They also each scored 32 points in the paint.

The Cowboys are back in action on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9, as they play host to Arizona State. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.