The Oklahoma State Cowboys, ranked 83rd in the NET rankings, secured a 91-84 victory over the West Virginia Mountaineers, who are ranked 63rd, at Gallagher-Iba Arena. The final margin of 7 points suggests a closely contested game, and the half scores indicate that the outcome was far from certain. Oklahoma State dominated the first half, taking a 46-33 lead into the break, while West Virginia mounted a strong comeback in the second half.
The difference in the game ultimately came down to a possession or two, as Oklahoma State's strong first-half performance was just enough to withstand West Virginia's second-half surge. Oklahoma State's 31 points in the second half were outpaced by West Virginia's 44, but the Cowboys' early lead proved insurmountable. The 7-point margin is a testament to the competitive nature of the game, and a closer examination of the teams' performances will reveal what separated Oklahoma State from WVU on this occasion.
A 29-point effort was not to be found, but his 18 points, along with 8 rebounds and 4 assists from Parsa Fallah, set a strong foundation for Oklahoma State. The freshman standout, Jaylen Curry, erupted for 15 points, with 3 of his 5 field goals coming from beyond the arc, and he also added 3 assists. With the game on the line, Kanye Clary's 17 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds helped Oklahoma State secure the win.
Erupting for 17 points, Kanye Clary's performance was complemented by his 6 assists, which helped to facilitate the offense for Oklahoma State. His 3 three-pointers, part of a 5-12 overall shooting performance, were crucial in stretching the defense. Parsa Fallah's 8 rebounds, to go along with his 18 points, were a key factor in Oklahoma State's victory, as his 2 blocks also made an impact on the defensive end, while Jaylen Curry's efficient 5-6 shooting from the field helped to seal the 91-84 win.
Finishing with 20 points, including six three-pointers, from Honor Huff wasn't enough to keep West Virginia in it, as his scoring efforts were ultimately overshadowed by Oklahoma State's strong team performance. His three rebounds and one assist, however, demonstrated a willingness to contribute in other areas, even if the overall impact was limited. The team's leading scorer, with 20 points, Huff's shooting was a notable aspect of West Virginia's offense, but it was not sufficient to secure a win.
Despite the loss, Treysen Eaglestaff and Chance Moore put up respectable numbers, with Eaglestaff's 18 points and four rebounds showcasing his ability to score and rebound effectively, while Moore's 14 points and 10 rebounds highlighted his all-around skills. His 6-10 shooting from the field was a notable aspect of his performance, and his 10 rebounds demonstrated a strong presence on the glass. Eaglestaff's two assists and one block, meanwhile, underscored his role as a versatile contributor, but in the end, their combined efforts were not enough to overcome Oklahoma State's strong showing.
With his team-high seven assists, a notable increase from his season average, Jasper Floyd played a crucial role in West Virginia's offense, as his passing ability helped create scoring opportunities for his teammates, Floyd's performance in this aspect of the game exceeded his typical output by nearly 2.5 times, while his rebounding also saw a slight uptick, with five boards, exceeding his season average by 1.1 rebounds per game, Jasper Floyd's overall performance was marked by his exceptional playmaking and slightly improved rebounding.
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Final
The pre-game prediction of a deadlock between West Virginia and Oklahoma State proved to be inaccurate, as the Cowboys emerged with a 7-point victory. This outcome was unforeseen, given that the prediction had favored the Mountaineers, albeit by the slimmest of margins. The discrepancy between the expected result and the actual outcome suggests that Oklahoma State performed better than anticipated, while West Virginia fell short of expectations.
A closer examination of the team statistics reveals that Oklahoma State's superior shooting and rebounding were key factors in their victory. The Cowboys' impressive effective field goal percentage and three-point shooting percentage, both of which exceeded their season averages, indicate a high level of efficiency on offense. Furthermore, their ability to secure a significant portion of available rebounds on the offensive end, as evidenced by their elevated offensive rebounding rate, allowed them to capitalize on second-chance opportunities and maintain a strong pace throughout the game. These advantages ultimately enabled Oklahoma State to outlast West Virginia and secure the win.
The outcome of this contest has significant implications for both teams' postseason prospects, as they each vie for a spot in the Big 12 conference tournament with an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament as their sole path. Oklahoma State's victory improves their standing in the conference, bolstering their chances of securing a favorable seed in the tournament, while West Virginia's loss further complicates their trajectory, leaving them in a more precarious position. With both teams now focused on conference tournament positioning, Oklahoma State's ability to capitalize on Quad 2 opportunities, like this one, will be crucial in their pursuit of the auto-bid, whereas West Virginia must regroup and reassess their strategy after struggling against similar-tier opponents. As the season draws to a close, the margin for error is dwindling, and it's clear that Oklahoma State's program trajectory is trending upward, while West Virginia's is careening toward a make-or-break moment in the conference tournament. The Cowboys' win serves as a stark reminder: in a conference where only one team will claim the auto-bid, a single misstep can be the difference between dancing and despair.