The Cowboys have one more game on the non-conference slate to fix some things before the gauntlet that is Big 12 play begins against Houston on Dec. 30.
Oklahoma State dominated nearly the entire game, fighting off a late run by Seton Hall to beat the Pirates, 85-76, to clinch the Big 12/Big East Battle for the Big 12.
It took Oklahoma State a bit of time to get settled in, but they jumped out to an 18-point lead in the second half, then held off a surging Southern Illinois team late for a 85-78 win in the program’s 3,000th game.
Oklahoma State is 0-2 the past two seasons against Southern Illinois, a team you can't lose against if you have any expectation of playing in the NCAA Tournament.
A big bruiser with a soft touch, 6-foot-10 forward Mekhi Ragland has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball at Oklahoma State beginning in 2025-26.
Oklahoma State head coach Steve Lutz met with the media on Tuesday to discuss the first two games of the season and to look ahead to Southern Illinois.