Oklahoma State Struggles in Desert Showdown, Falls to No. 1 Arizona
It was a tough night in Stillwater for Oklahoma State, as the Cowboys ran into a buzzsaw in top-ranked Arizona and came away with an 84-47 loss that underscored just how dominant the Wildcats have been this season - and how much work OSU still has to do to compete with the Big 12’s elite.
From the opening tip, it was clear the Cowboys were going to need a near-perfect performance to hang with Arizona. Instead, they ran cold early and never recovered.
OSU shot just 24.6% from the field - a season-low and their worst shooting performance in a Big 12 regular season game in program history. The three-point line didn’t offer any relief either, as they hit just 6-of-28 from deep.
And when they did get to the line, they left points on the table, converting only 11-of-23 free throws.
The Cowboys actually held a brief 6-4 lead after an Anthony Roy three-pointer with just over 16 minutes left in the first half. But that lead evaporated in a hurry. Arizona responded with a 17-3 run fueled by relentless pressure at the rim - layups, putbacks, and second-chance points that showcased their physicality and depth in the paint.
OSU showed some life midway through the first half with a 7-0 burst, capped by a Christian Coleman fastbreak dunk that trimmed the deficit to 25-18. But the momentum was short-lived. The Cowboys went scoreless for more than six minutes to close the half, and Arizona took full advantage, stretching the lead to 40-22 at the break.
The second half brought more of the same. Arizona opened with another commanding 15-3 run, while OSU endured yet another scoring drought - this one lasting over six and a half minutes. By the time Koa Peat’s basket pushed the lead to 55-25 with 13:25 to play, the game was well out of reach.
Arizona didn’t need the three-point shot to do damage. Despite going just 2-for-14 from beyond the arc, the Wildcats shot a blistering 51.6% overall - thanks largely to their dominance inside.
They racked up 18 baskets on dunks and layups and went 31-of-50 on two-point attempts. The final margin of 37 points marked OSU’s second-worst loss in Big 12 play, trailing only a 39-point defeat at Nebraska back in 2000.
The paint battle was especially lopsided. Arizona outscored OSU 54-14 down low and won the rebounding war 56-35. For a Cowboy team that prides itself on toughness, that’s a stat that’s going to sting in the film room.
Bright Spots in a Rough Night
Despite the loss, there were a few individual performances worth noting. Anthony Roy once again led the Cowboys in scoring with 10 points, knocking down three triples to continue his consistent outside shooting. Roy has now scored in double figures in 19 of his 20 games in an OSU uniform and has made at least one three-pointer in 19 straight - a streak that ranks among the 10 longest in program history.
Kanye Clary quietly extended an impressive streak of his own. With three assists and zero turnovers, he became just the second Cowboy ever to post more assists than turnovers in 20 consecutive games, joining OSU legend Doug Gottlieb.
Freshman Mekhi Ragland saw the floor for the first time since mid-December and got on the board with his first career Big 12 bucket. Daniel Guetta and Kirk Cole also returned to action after extended absences, giving the Cowboys a bit more depth heading into the final stretch of conference play.
What’s Next
The road doesn’t get any easier for Oklahoma State, as they stay in the desert for a Saturday showdown with Arizona State. The Sun Devils have been up and down this season, but they’ve got talent - especially in Maurice Odom, who’s averaging 17 points per game and ranks among the nation’s top facilitators with 6.2 assists per outing.
Arizona State sits at 12-11 overall and 3-7 in Big 12 play heading into their next matchup, and while OSU holds a 6-3 edge in the all-time series, they’ve never won in Tempe. That’s the challenge now for Mike Boynton’s squad - regroup, refocus, and find a way to bounce back on the second leg of this desert double.
Tipoff is set for Saturday at 8 p.m. CT on CBS Sports Network. After a humbling night against the best team in the country, the Cowboys will be looking for a response - and a chance to get back on track in a tightly packed Big 12 race.