Field Level Media
Dec 17, 2022
Bryce Thompson scored a game-high 19 points Saturday night and Oklahoma State led for all but 20 seconds of a 59-49 nonconference win over Wichita State in Wichita, Kan.
John-Michael Wright added 16 for the Cowboys (7-4), who led by as many as 14 points in the second half and survived a scoring drought of nearly five minutes down the stretch. They didn't make a field goal in the last 6 1/2 minutes.
However, the Shockers (6-5) couldn't solve Oklahoma State's defense, considered one of the best in college basketball. Wichita State hit only 36.5 percent of its field goals, including a brutal 1 of 21 from the 3-point line.
Seven-one center Moussa Cisse scored only three points for the Cowboys but helped control the lane with game highs of 12 rebounds and three blocked shots. Oklahoma State also made 9 of 23 3-pointers, making up for 39.6 percent field-goal shooting.
Craig Porter scored 14 points to pace the Shockers, who drew within 53-48 with 1:37 remaining on two foul shots by Jaykwon Walton. But Kalib Boone and Avery Anderson combined to make six consecutive foul shots to seal the outcome.
Oklahoma State wasted little time putting its stamp on the game, exerting its size and athletic advantages to establish a 10-0 lead before the first TV timeout. Wichita State needed almost 5 1/2 minutes to score its first field goal.
The Shockers went on a 9-2 run to pull within 15-11 at the 11:44 mark when Porter hit a pullup jumper, but the Cowboys answered with consecutive 3-pointers from Thompson to regain an eight-point cushion with 9:44 on the clock.
Oklahoma State's defense carried the half's remainder, even as their offense operated in fits and starts. It held Wichita State without a point for nearly 4 1/2 minutes and went into the locker room with a 32-26 advantage.
The Shockers, who made 42 3-pointers in their previous four games, were 1 of 12 from the arc in the half.
--Field Level Media