BYU Drops Third Straight in Defensive Collapse Against Oklahoma State
STILLWATER, Okla. - BYU’s season hit another speed bump Wednesday night, and this one might sting a little more than the others.
The Cougars fell 99-92 to Oklahoma State in Stillwater, their third straight loss and easily their most disappointing of the season. This wasn’t a top-ranked juggernaut or a hostile blueblood arena. This was a game BYU was favored to win - and one they desperately needed to stop the bleeding.
Instead, they got steamrolled in the second half by a Cowboys team that came in under .500 in Big 12 play. Now sitting at 17-5 overall and 5-4 in the conference, BYU is suddenly searching for answers on both ends of the floor - but especially on defense.
A First-Half Rally That Didn’t Last
Early on, it looked like BYU was headed for a blowout loss. Oklahoma State jumped out to a 15-point lead, slicing through the Cougars’ defense with ease.
But to their credit, BYU didn’t fold. They closed the half on a 17-4 run, knotting the score at 41 and swinging momentum back in their favor.
That surge felt like a possible turning point - not just in the game, but in the Cougars’ season. After back-to-back losses to ranked opponents, this was a chance to reset. Instead, BYU came out of the locker room flat, and Oklahoma State made them pay.
The Cowboys exploded for 58 points in the second half, torching BYU for 1.57 points per possession. That’s not just efficient - that’s unsustainable video game numbers.
And it wasn’t just hot shooting from the perimeter. Oklahoma State bullied BYU inside for 52 points in the paint, attacking the rim with purpose and physicality.
Defensive Issues Piling Up
Let’s be blunt: BYU’s defense is in trouble.
Oklahoma State shot 54.7% from the field and 33.3% from deep - not eye-popping from distance, but more than enough when you’re dominating the interior. The Cowboys had their way in the paint, and when they needed a big bucket, Anthony Roy delivered in a big way.
Roy dropped 30 points, including five three-pointers, and was the engine behind Oklahoma State’s upset bid. He carved up the Cougars’ perimeter defense and gave BYU no margin for error down the stretch.
This wasn’t a one-off defensive lapse, either. It was a full-game breakdown. BYU allowed 1.32 points per possession overall, and that kind of number simply doesn’t give you a chance to win, especially on the road in the Big 12.
A Loss That Stings More Than the Others
BYU’s first four losses this season were understandable. They came against elite competition - UConn, Texas Tech, Kansas, and Arizona - all ranked inside the top 15 at the time. You can live with those, especially in a brutal conference like the Big 12.
But this one? This one hits different.
BYU came into the night having won 22 straight games against unranked opponents. They were favored to win - KenPom gave them a 69% chance - and they were in position to bounce back after a tough stretch.
Instead, they left Stillwater with their worst loss of the season - not by margin, but by context.
Now, the Cougars are staring down the barrel of a potential four-game skid with No. 8 Houston coming to the Marriott Center next. That’s not exactly the opponent you want when you’re trying to right the ship.
What’s Next?
There’s no need to panic - not yet. At 17-5, BYU is still very much in the mix for a strong postseason push. But the margin for error is shrinking fast, and the Cougars have to tighten up defensively if they want to stay relevant in the Big 12 race.
The good news? They’ve shown they can hang with top teams.
The bad news? They’ve also shown they can let winnable games slip away.
Wednesday night was one they couldn’t afford to lose - and they did. Now it’s about how they respond.