OSU vs TEXAS TECH GAMER

When John-Michael Wright made a put back Wednesday night to take the lead with less than a second left, a sea of orange erupted in celebration. 

“If the ball comes away I’m gonna get it and tip it back in, that’s all I was thinking,” Wright said. 

That is exactly what Oklahoma State’s senior guard did. His last second effort gave OSU a 71-68 victory against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Gallagher-Iba Arena. 

The and-one put back was a product of the missed last second shot from Bryce Thompson. Thompson did not miss many shots in the first half making his first nine shots and finishing the half with 21. 

“I was just in a rhythm,” Thompson said. “I saw this first one go in and kept going from there.” 

After halftime, Thompson’s rhythm was nowhere to be found. He went scoreless in the second half missing four shots and two free throws. The Cowboys went 14-24 on free throws. 

It was the Cowboys’ 15th win overall and added to a 4 game winning streak. The loss brought the Raiders’ Big XII record to 1-10, 12-12 overall.

Despite the loss, the Raiders had three players in double digits. Tech’s leading scorer was Jaylon Tyson with 20 followed by De’Vion Harmon (19) and Kevin Obanor (15). 

“Can’t hang our heads for too long,” Harmon said. “Grab a few of those rebounds and we win the game.” 

Rebounds were a determining factor in the game, especially the second chance points. OSU scored 12 on second chance opportunities. Coach Mike Boynton spoke of how each point had to be earned. 

“It was a battle,” Boynton said. “Sometimes you have got to find a way to be one point better and tonight we were three points better.” 

The absence of Avery Anderson III has made OSU adjust its game plan. 

“We need everybody to do a little bit more with Avery being gone,” Boynton said. “We talked to the guys about being more aggressive. Every single one of these games is a fight to the end.” 

OSU (15-9 overall, 6-5 Big XII) has not strayed away from a showdown and it does not seem like it will anytime soon. The Cowboys next game is Saturday at 5 p.m. at Iowa State. 

“We are not going to be satisfied until we get to the end,” Wright said. 

Sources

OSU guard John-Michael Wright 

OSU guard Bryce Thompson 

Texas Tech guard De’Vion Harmon

OSU coach Mike Boynton