Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Hold Off Marquette, 57-54.
June 21, 1999 | Cowboy Basketball
November 20, 1998
By GORDON SAKAMOTO
Associated Press Writer
HONOLULU (AP) - Oklahoma State got off to a good start, then had to hold on for a victory in the opener of the VoiceStream Wireless Challenge.
Adrian Peterson scored 23 points, including five 3-pointers, as the No. 13 Cowboys beat Marquette 57-54 Thursday night.
The Cowboys (2-0) won despite missing several layups and free throws and committing a couple of turnovers over the final four minutes.
"It was a slugfest defensively on both ends," said Oklahoma State coach Eddie Sutton. "It shouldn't be for us because we're a veteran club."
Peterson's basket with 2:28 left put Oklahoma State up for good.
Marquette still had a couple of opportunities to pull it out, but Mike Bargen, who finished with 18 points, missed a free throw which would have tied the game with 25 seconds left. Teammate Jarrod Lovette grabbed the rebound and was fouled, but missed the front end of a 1-and-1.
"This was a game we could have won," Marquette coach Mike Deane. "We missed three throws down the stretch and made three turnovers. We just couldn't take care of the basketball down the stretch."
Desmond Mason made a pair of free throw with 11.9 seconds remaining to clinch the win for Oklahoma State.
Over the final 10 minutes, there were four ties and eight lead changes.
The Cowboys built an eight-point lead in the first half, but Marquette shaved the margin to four points at halftime.
Greg Clausen and David Diggs each scored two baskets to put Marquette ahead 45-41 in the second half, but the 3-pointer by Peterson and basket by Desmond Mason helped set up the frantic finish.
