Oklahoma State Stays Perfect Behind Parsa Fallah’s Second-Half Surge
STILLWATER - The Cowboys didn’t have it easy Tuesday night, but when the game tightened up, Parsa Fallah made sure Oklahoma State stayed unbeaten.
In a hard-fought 93-83 win over Sam Houston at Gallagher-Iba Arena, OSU improved to 8-0 on the season - their best start since the 2006-07 campaign. It wasn’t always pretty, and it certainly wasn’t comfortable, but it was effective. And when the Cowboys needed a closer, Fallah stepped up and delivered.
1. Parsa Fallah Took Over When It Mattered Most
Let’s start with the headline: Parsa Fallah owned the second half.
The Oregon State transfer had already been a steady presence through the Cowboys’ early-season run, but Tuesday night was his breakout moment in Stillwater. He dropped 24 points on just 13 shots, pulled down seven rebounds, and added three steals - but it was the timing of his production that really told the story.
Seventeen of those points came after halftime, including four in the final minute to ice the game. One of those buckets - a soft touch shot that hung on the rim just long enough to hush the crowd - finally dropped and sent Gallagher-Iba into a frenzy.
Sam Houston had no answer for Fallah’s size, footwork, or effort. He’s now scored in double figures in seven of OSU’s eight games, but this was his first time crossing the 20-point threshold in a Cowboy uniform. Head coach Steve Lutz didn’t hold back in his praise.
“He’s been our most consistent player pretty much night in, night out,” Lutz said. “He shows up every day, pulls his shorts up, laces up his shoes, smiles, and goes out there and competes. We’ve got some other people on the team that need to adopt that philosophy.”
Fallah’s impact goes beyond the box score. He’s the tone-setter on a team still finding its identity - and Tuesday, that tone was toughness.
2. Roy, Clary, and Manzoukas Deliver in Their Roles
While Fallah was the finisher, OSU got key contributions from several others throughout the night.
Anthony Roy lit it up in the first half, going on a personal scoring run that kept the Cowboys within striking distance. He poured in 12 of his 20 points in a six-minute stretch and finished with eight rebounds and five assists in 32 minutes. Roy’s ability to heat up quickly gives this team a much-needed scoring punch, especially when the offense stalls.
Kanye Clary, meanwhile, quietly had one of the most efficient nights on the floor. The Cowboys were +20 in his 27 minutes - a massive number in a 10-point game - and he added 14 points on just six shots along with six assists. Clary’s control of the offense continues to grow, and his decision-making has been a stabilizing force for this group.
Lefteris Manzoukas didn’t have his best shooting night (3-for-10 for seven points), but he made his presence felt on the glass. He pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds - several of them in traffic - and was second only to Clary in plus-minus at +10. His energy and willingness to do the dirty work were critical down the stretch.
3. Defense Still a Work in Progress
Let’s be honest: scoring 93 points is great, but it won’t always be enough - especially in the Big 12.
The Cowboys gave up 44 points in the first half and trailed by seven at the break. Sam Houston shot 49% from the field and 50% (11-for-22) from three in the opening 20 minutes. That’s not just hot shooting - that’s a defensive red flag.
Lutz has been vocal about his concerns on that end of the floor, and Tuesday gave him more fuel.
“We’ve gotta prepare to win in the league that matters,” Lutz said. “Tonight, the first half defense, it wasn’t good enough.”
To their credit, OSU adjusted. The Cowboys held Sam Houston to just 39 points in the second half, limiting them to 37% shooting overall and just 20% from deep.
But the inconsistency is still there. This team hasn’t yet put together a full 40-minute effort defensively - and in a league loaded with elite guards and physical frontcourts, that’s going to matter.
4. Vyctorius Miller Exits Early With Injury
The Cowboys played most of the game without their leading scorer, as LSU transfer Vyctorius Miller exited early with an apparent right ankle injury.
Miller, who came into the night averaging 17.4 points per game, hobbled off the court and did not return. He was able to walk around the bench area during timeouts, which is a positive sign, but his status moving forward remains unclear.
Lutz didn’t have an update postgame, but OSU will be hoping for a quick recovery. Miller’s shot creation and scoring versatility have been a big part of the Cowboys’ early success, and his absence would be a major blow heading into a tough stretch.
5. Cowboys Hit 8-0 for the First Time in Nearly Two Decades
This isn’t just a hot start - it’s historic.
Oklahoma State is 8-0 for the first time since the 2006-07 season, Sean Sutton’s first year at the helm. That’s a long drought for a program with deep basketball roots.
Travis Ford never did it. Brad Underwood didn’t either.
Mike Boynton’s teams came close, but not quite.
The next two games will be a serious test of just how real this start is. OSU heads to Phoenix to face Grand Canyon in the home arena of the Phoenix Suns. GCU has been a consistent NCAA Tournament team under Bryce Drew and won’t be intimidated by the moment.
If the Cowboys can get past the Antelopes, it sets up a Bedlam showdown against Oklahoma at Paycom Center - with a shot at 10-0 on the line. That would be a statement.
What’s Next:
The Cowboys will face Grand Canyon on Saturday in Phoenix. Tipoff is set for a neutral-site battle that won’t feel neutral at all.
From there, it’s Bedlam in OKC. The schedule is ramping up - and we’re about to find out just how high this team’s ceiling really is.
But for now, they’re 8-0. And Parsa Fallah is playing like a man who has no intention of slowing down.