Oklahoma State Rolls Past Bethune Cookman, Finishes Nonconference Play at 12-1
STILLWATER - The Cowboys are heading into Big 12 play with momentum and a little extra swagger.
Oklahoma State capped off its nonconference schedule in dominant fashion on Monday night, cruising to a 103-77 win over Bethune Cookman at Gallagher-Iba Arena. The win pushes the Cowboys to 12-1 on the season - a strong start, but the real grind begins now with Big 12 play looming.
Here’s a closer look at what stood out in the win:
1. Anthony Roy Gets Buckets - Efficiently
Anthony Roy’s been a walking bucket throughout his college career, but Monday night was something different.
Roy poured in 27 points - his seventh career game hitting that mark - and he did it with just two made three-pointers. That’s not a typo.
The senior forward did most of his damage the old-school way: attacking the rim and living at the free throw line. He went a perfect 15-for-15 from the stripe, showing exactly how to punish a defense that can’t stay in front of him.
It’s the second straight 20-point outing for Roy, who dropped 22 against Cal State-Fullerton last time out. And what’s more impressive is how he adjusted when the jumper wasn’t falling.
“Just find a way to score,” Roy said postgame. “If my shot’s not falling, I know to get to the paint and draw fouls and just try to see something go in.”
That’s the kind of offensive maturity that travels - and the Cowboys will need it with Big 12 play on deck.
2. Defensive Identity Starting to Show
If there’s been a question mark hanging over this OSU team, it’s been the defense. But Monday night offered some encouraging signs.
Bethune Cookman shot 46% from the field - not exactly locking them down - but the Cowboys forced 19 turnovers and turned those into 31 points. On the flip side, OSU only gave up two points off turnovers. That’s a winning formula.
Head coach Steve Lutz also threw a new wrinkle into the defensive game plan: a halfcourt trap built around the length and agility of Christian Coleman. The look disrupted the Wildcats’ rhythm and even led to a rare five-second violation - likely the first of the season for OSU.
“It reminded me a little bit of our team we had last year,” Lutz said. “I thought we were more active.
Our hands were better. We were just more aggressive.”
That 1-2-2 trap may not be something we see every night, but it’s a tool OSU can lean on when it needs to turn up the pressure - especially against the guard-heavy lineups common in the Big 12.
3. Ben Ahmed Brings the Energy - and the Size
If you’re looking for a breakout candidate on this OSU roster, keep your eyes on Ben Ahmed.
The 6-foot-10, 275-pound freshman made his presence felt in a big way Monday night. On back-to-back first-half possessions, he swatted shots and jumpstarted transition buckets, including a perfectly placed outlet to Vyctorius Miller for a dunk and a rim-rattling alley-oop finished by Isaiah Coleman.
Ahmed finished with five points, three rebounds, two blocks and an assist - but those numbers don’t fully capture the impact he made. He played with energy, physicality, and a motor that belies his size.
One play stood out: After missing a free throw, Ahmed dove to the floor to secure the rebound, leading to a second-chance layup. That kind of hustle from a guy his size? It doesn’t go unnoticed.
He’s still raw in the post, but the tools are all there - and if he keeps bringing that edge, he’s going to be a major factor as the season wears on.
4. Fallah and Clary Return, Mantzoukas and Vukovic Sit
The Cowboys got a couple key pieces back in the lineup Monday night - and both made an impact.
Center Parsa Fallah returned from a back injury that kept him out of the last two games and immediately made his presence felt. He posted a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double in just 21 minutes, dominating the glass early with four boards in the first five minutes.
“I’m feeling great,” Fallah said. “I stayed here over Christmas to get my back right. My wife wasn’t too happy about it, but it paid off.”
Point guard Kanye Clary also made his return after a leg injury that looked scary when it happened against Kansas City. He chipped in 10 points and three assists, giving OSU a steady hand at the point.
On the flip side, Lefteris Mantzoukas and Andrija Vukovic remained sidelined with undisclosed injuries. Lutz said both are day-to-day and could return soon, but it’ll be a game-time decision going forward.
**5. Big 12 Schedule?
It’s Go Time. **
Now the real test begins.
Oklahoma State opens Big 12 play on the road against No. 15 Texas Tech - and believe it or not, the Red Raiders are only the fifth-highest ranked team in the conference. That tells you everything you need to know about the gauntlet OSU is about to run.
Eighteen games. No nights off. Every possession matters.
“You should never take for granted being 12-1,” Lutz said. “We’ve handled our business, but we’ve got to keep growing - especially on the defensive end.”
The Cowboys have shown they can score, and they’ve shown flashes of defensive promise. But in the Big 12, flashes won’t cut it. Consistency will.
The good news? They’ve got the pieces. Now it’s about putting it all together - starting in Lubbock.