OSU Struggles in Second Half and Slips to VA Tech

In second round play of the 76 Classic OSU’s second half struggles resulted in the squad’s first loss.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:03 pm

By: News On 6

OSU Struggles in Second Half and Slips to VA Tech

Originally Published: Nov 26, 2010 4:57 PM CDT

Layna Dewell
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

ANAHEIM—The Oklahoma State Cowboys couldn’t match the second half run made by Virginia Tech and fell to the Hokies in the second round of the 76 Classic by a final of 56-51.

Jean-Paul Olukemi came off the bench and led the scoring for OSU with 17 points five rebounds and two assists while Marshall Moses managed a double-double on the night with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Midway through the first half the Cowboys changed to an extended zone defense which created problems for Virginia Tech. The Hokies went about seven minutes without a bucked and did not make the 24 point mark until about a minute left in the first half.

The Cowboys went into the locker room with a three point 29-26 lead at the half.

The second half started off going back and forth between the teams before a big run by the Hokies.

With 13:56 left in the game Cowboy forward Matt Pilgrim was ejected from the game for a flagrant foul. The officials say Pilgrim had the opportunity to retract his elbow when he gained possession of the ball and since he did not he was charged the foul and removed from the game.

Victor Davila was called for a similar foul just two minutes and 50 seconds later, but was allowed to stay in the game. The new rule became a point of emphasis according to the NCAA Men's Basketball Rules Committee this summer. Any elbow thrown above the shoulder is now automatically a flagrant foul and the offender is ejected from the contest.

With Oklahoma State down to two regular post players, Jarred Shaw saw limited action and Roger Franklin was forced to enter the game when Moses began bleeding from a cut on his arm. It was Franklin's first action of the season after suffering from a lower leg injury.

From there on Virginia Tech went on an 18-3 run to close out the game over the Pokes thanks to a touch 1-3-1 zone that the Cowboys could not score against.

Malcom Delaney led the scoring for Virginia Tech with 16 points, and three rebounds, and the Hokies overall shot outshot the Cowboys from the field 34.7 percent to 28.8.

Hokies win 56-51 and advance to play the winner of UNLV vs. Murray State.

Oklahoma State will finish out the tournament playing the loser of UNLV vs. Murray State on Sunday.