Cowboys Steal Win in Manhattan

Originally Published: Jan 23, 2010 5:38 PM CDT

Recap | Box Score

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

MANHATTAN, Kansas -- Oklahoma State went into Manhattan as an underdog, but came out victorious with a 73-69 win over No. 9 Kansas State.

The Wildcats went on a 10-2 run to start the game, spurred by Denis Clemente’s two early 3-pointers. Cowboys' head coach Travis Ford had seen enough, and called a quick timeout three minutes and fifteen second into the game.

After the timeout, the Cowboys went on an 11-2 run to take their first lead of the game.

The Cowboys and the Wildcats would battle back and forth for the rest of the first half, and at halftime Kansas State led, 35-32.

James Anderson led OSU in the first half, scoring 19 of the Cowboys’ points in the opening period, shooting 5-of-11 from the floor, hitting two 3-point shots, and converting on all seven of his free-throw attempts.

Anderson finished the game with 30 points, three rebounds and three assists.

Oklahoma State went on a 12-4 run to start the second half, helped along by poor play from KSU and early fouls. After the run, OSU had a 44-39 lead seven minutes into the closing half.

After a foul, followed by a technical foul by Matt Pilgrim, pulled Kansas State to with two, it yet again became a game of ties and lead changes.

A 5-2 run by the Wildcats widened their lead, but OSU would answer back with an 11-1 run, bookended by Obi Muonelo 3-point shots to take a 66-60 lead.

Muonelo scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half of the game, and all but clinched the victory for OSU.

A late run by KSU and a late-game circus play during which both teams turned the ball over gave the Cowboys a scare, but Oklahoma State defended Jacob Pullen’s last-second shot well and Nick Sidorakis sealed it with two free throws.