Oklahoma State wasted no time looking comfortable in its season opener, rolling past Incarnate Word 91-60 on Monday night at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
For a team that’s working with a new roster built around transfers and four freshmen, the result was about as clean a first step as Steve Lutz could’ve asked for. The Cowboys blew the game open early, led 54-17 at halftime and spent the rest of the night letting everyone get involved. All but one Oklahoma State player logged at least 12 minutes.
The lineup offered an early look at how Lutz may sort through the pieces once the roster is fully healthy. Jacob Walker and Kashie Natt, both former Sam Houston players, started alongside Jordan Burks, freshman guard Anthony Felesi and center Julius Halaifonua.
Walker filled the box score with eight points, three rebounds, eight assists and four steals. Natt added seven points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block.
Felesi also handled the moment well. The freshman finished with four points, one rebound and one assist after earning extra run in the exhibition stretch. Based on Monday’s showing, Walker and Natt look like strong candidates to remain in the starting mix when everyone is available.
The one missing piece was Kanye Clary, who was dressed and with the team but did not play. Lutz said late last week that Clary was day-to-day with a groin issue and that he didn’t plan to force the issue if he wasn’t ready. Oklahoma State held him out of its final two exhibition games, which opened the door for Felesi to get more minutes.
Even without Clary, the Cowboys had enough control to keep the night simple. That matters because Clary is expected to be important once he returns. He gives Oklahoma State a steadier hand at point guard in an offense still sorting out new roles, and he’s one of the few holdovers from last season after averaging 10.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists.
Defense is the other area Lutz is watching closely, and he made it clear that improvement there will be the separator for this group. He said that’s what can lift the Cowboys from good to NCAA Tournament caliber.
On Monday, there were encouraging signs. Oklahoma State held Incarnate Word under 30% shooting in the first half and didn’t allow a free throw before halftime. The Cardinals’ shooting climbed to 55.5% in the second half, but the game was already out of reach by then, and the Cowboys used the margin to spread the minutes around.
Two numbers stood out most: turnovers and steals. Incarnate Word coughed it up 21 times, while Oklahoma State finished with 10 steals. Walker led the way with four of them, a solid early-season return on the defensive end.
The next challenge comes quickly. Oklahoma State will try to carry this start into what should be its first major non-conference test against Texas A&M next week.
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