OSU Opens on Huge Run, Coasts Past OU

The Cowboys scored 20 of the game's first 22 points to build an insurmountable lead.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:33 am

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Mar 10, 2010 7:6 PM CDT

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Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

KANSAS CITY, Missouri – Oklahoma State jumped out to a massive early lead and dominated the first half on the way to an 81-67 victory over Oklahoma in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament Wednesday.

Obi Muonelo and Keiton Page combined to make 3-pointers on OSU’s first three possessions, sparking a 20-2 run to start the game. Page was particularly hot throughout the first half, making all five of his 3-pointers and scoring 19 points in the half.

The Cowboys carried a 45-23 lead into halftime and seemed primed for a runaway win. However, the momentum completely reversed as the second half began.

The Sooners came out of the locker room with a much higher energy level and scored the first 11 points of the second half. The Cowboys did not make a field goal in the first seven minutes of the half and allowed OU to draw within 11 points, but Muonelo and Page again sparked a run to things around.

Muonelo scored OSU’s first five points of the second half on consecutive possessions, the second of which ended with a successful 3-point play. Page stole the ensuing inbound pass and converted it into a 3-point play of his own, extending the Cowboys’ lead back to 17 and putting the game out of reach for good.

The Sooners outscored OSU 44-36 in the second half, but their lead at halftime proved insurmountable. Page finished with a game-high 24 points, one shy of the career record he set in the Cowboys’ last matchup against OU. Muonelo added 15 points, and four of OSU’s starters scored in double digits.

Tommy Mason-Griffin led OU with 22 points, while Steven Pledger came off the bench and scored 18, all on 3-pointers. Tiny Gallon finished with 11 points and missed extended time in the first half after knocking knees with an opponent.

The Cowboys’ victory clinches the season series of the Bedlam rivalry, with the teams entering Wednesday having split the first two games. Oklahoma State won the last two contests over the Sooners by a combined total of 37 points.

The Cowboys will now move on to the second round of the Big 12 Tournament, where they will face No. 2 seed Kansas State. OSU defeated K-State on the road by four in the teams’ only other meeting this season.