NORMAN — I had the strangest feeling on Monday that I was sitting through a movie that I had seen before. I kept thinking that if my memory served me right, I wasn’t happy with the ending the last time I saw it in late November.
But come on, they wouldn’t show a repeat so close together ... would they?
Turns out they did. And the ending wasn’t any better this time, either.
For the second time in less than two months, an Oklahoma State team made the trip to Norman to take on Oklahoma in a Bedlam Series contest. This time, like the last, it appeared the Cowboys were the better team before the game started. And for a second time, the Sooners spoiled the party.
Just like in football two days after Thanksgiving, the OSU Cowboys men’s basketball team traveled south and laid an egg.
Oklahoma’s 62-57 overtime win over Oklahoma State was a game that set basketball back more than a few decades.
There were 14 more turnovers (28) than assists (14) from both teams and the two combined to miss 20 free throws.
Oklahoma won despite going 12 of 23 from the free throw line and 22 of 58 from the field.
But OU’s field-goal percentage was red hot compared to the Cowboys. OSU, who looked like a machine on offense in the second half of Saturday’s blowout win over Texas Tech, made just 27.5 percent of its shots — 19 of 69. OSU was 5 of 25 from behind the 3-point arc.
Everybody took turns missing shots at an alarming rate. Give them credit, they all kept shooting. They all just kept missing.
The streaky Obi Muoenlo was streakless ... a 1 of 12 effort. And the usually reliable Keiton Page hit the deep freeze ... 1 of 7.
That’s bad normally, but when OSU star James Anderson went out with a head injury, the offense just didn’t stop, it came to a screeching halt.
Oklahoma State went scoreless for almost 71⁄2 minutes. Normally that’s not easy to do in basketball. The Cowboys made it look simple.
Anderson returned just in time to rescue the Pokes, scoring a basket with 3.1 seconds left to send the game into overtime. But OSU finished off its relentless pursuit of the missed shot by going 1 of 6 from the field in the OT.
The only difference between November’s loss on the football field and Monday’s loss on the court is that this one didn’t cost the Pokes nearly as much.
Not yet, anyway.
But something tells me the Cowboys won’t want to remember this game come March. Unfortunately the NCAA Tournament selection committee just might.
All coaches will tell you the key to a successful conference season is being able to steal a win or two on the road.
Monday was one of those chances for Oklahoma State. Halfway out the door, however, the Cowboys tripped the alarm.
Maybe it was all the basketballs clanging off the rim that did it.
Whatever the reason, an OSU team again left Norman with a bitter taste to swallow.
The only difference is this group won’t have to wait another year to even the score.
As long as they can hit a couple shots next time, that is.
Scott Nulph can be reached at 405-372-5000, ext. 220, or at snulph@stwnewspress.com
OSU Sports
Nulph column: The ending to this movie is getting old
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