Recap of BYU vs. Oklahoma State: The Cougars halt the Cowboys’ losing run and send them home
The Cougars defeated a bottom-feeding Big 12 team at home just when it looked like they were doomed. Yes, they truly did redeem themselves! On Tuesday night, BYU basketball handled business at the Mariott Center as the Oklahoma State Cowboys cruised into Provo with a 9-6 record. They helped lead the Cougars to their second double-digit victory in Big 12 play, and the Marriott Center has traditionally been a harsh place to play.
The Big 12 giants rule the lands while BYU improves to 11-5 and stands in front of a sheer cliff face. Kevin Young might encounter difficulties when he plants his crops for the March harvest since they roam around and press their enormous imprint into the always fertile soil. That is, if the encouraging patterns we saw in this conflict keep going in the right direction.
Despite dubious officiating (for both sides), BYU won this game for the whole first half and the first seven minutes of the second. The Cowboys narrowed the 20-point halftime deficit to just three points thanks to a spectacular Oklahoma State comeback. The atmosphere was filled with groans of “here we go again” as Kevin Young’s once-powerful lead was reduced to a splinter.
Until the flame that his friends ignited turned into a blaze, thanks to Egor Demin. Provo was ignited by a fastbreak steal and score, followed by a rhythm three-ball.
These Cougars were *finally* hitting their shots, as they ended the game making over 50% of their field goals and 42.9% of their long-range tries. In this one, Knell was unstoppable, going 4 for 9 from beyond the arc and leading the team in scoring with 18 points—unexpectedly, he did it from all over the court.
His floor time was once again limited to single digits due to a terrible flagrant foul and three personals. I think he’s almost ready to return to Kevin Young’s rotation, but he still needs to find a stronger mental state. This weekend, the Cougars will play the Utes in Salt Lake City, the Beehive State, for the first time in more than ten years as league rivals. BYU must win for a variety of reasons.