Box Score Breakdown: Cowboys' Tournament Hopes Dim After Fifth Straight Loss
In a crucial stretch for their NCAA Tournament aspirations, the Cowboys stumbled once again, falling to Colorado 83-69. This marks their fifth consecutive loss, dropping them to 16-11 overall and 4-10 in Big 12 play. Let’s dive into the key takeaways from the game.
1. Struggling Out of the Gate
The Cowboys found themselves in a familiar predicament with another slow start. Colorado jumped to a 25-8 lead, courtesy of a hot shooting streak, hitting 10 of their first 14 shots. Meanwhile, OSU managed just 3-for-9 from the field and committed four turnovers early on, resulting in 13 points for the Buffaloes.
However, the Cowboys responded with a 9-0 run featuring key 3-pointers from Ryan Crotty and Vyctorius Miller, plus an and-one from Parsa Fallah. Miller’s buzzer-beater 3-pointer trimmed Colorado's lead to 42-34 at halftime, giving OSU a fighting chance.
2. Momentum Shift and Another Cold Streak
Despite trailing by as many as 17 points in the first half, the Cowboys surged back in the second. A 16-5 run gave them a 48-47 lead just five minutes in. Parsa Fallah, along with Christian and Isaiah Coleman, spearheaded this comeback, contributing crucial points.
But the altitude seemed to catch up with them. Following Anthony Roy’s coast-to-coast layup that put OSU ahead, the Cowboys hit a wall, shooting just 5-for-27 in the final 16 minutes. Colorado capitalized with several scoring runs to secure the win.
3. Trouble from Beyond the Arc
Both teams came in with shaky 3-point defenses, but Colorado thrived while OSU struggled. The Buffaloes shot 11-for-27 from deep, marking the ninth time this season OSU allowed double-digit threes at a 40% success rate. In contrast, the Cowboys managed just 5-for-23, with Anthony Roy going 0-for-7, his most attempts without a make in his career.
4. Lineup Adjustments
Coach Steve Lutz emphasized the importance of who finishes games over who starts them. However, seeking a spark, he inserted Isaiah Coleman into the starting lineup, moving Anthony Roy to the bench. Unfortunately, this change didn’t prevent another sluggish start.
Foul trouble further complicated matters, with key players like Kanye Clary and Parsa Fallah spending extended time on the bench. Clary, limited to 25 minutes, contributed eight points and one assist, while Fallah, also playing 25 minutes, added 14 points and two rebounds.
5. Tournament Hopes Fading
While technically still alive for an NCAA Tournament berth, the Cowboys’ chances are dwindling, likely dropping to around 1% after this loss. With only one Big 12 road win this season and tough games ahead, including a matchup against Houston, OSU needs a miraculous turnaround in March to keep their hopes alive.