Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Open 1998-99 Season With Exhibition Victory
June 21, 1999 | Cowboy Basketball
November 10, 1998
STILLWATER, Okla. - Desmond Mason led six Oklahoma State players in double figures as the Cowboys opened their 1998-99 season with a 104-86 exhibition victory over the California East All-Stars.
Mason scored 19 points, the last four coming on brilliant dunks, and pulled down 14 rebounds to lead OSU. Adrian Peterson (18 points), Joe Adkins (16), John Gilmore (15), Brian Montonati (12) and Doug Gottlieb (10) also reached double figures. LSU product Duane Spencer scored 24 points to lead the All-Stars.
"The positive things was that Gilmore, Montonati and Robisch played 50 minutes and had 35 points and 19 rebounds," said OSU coach Eddie Sutton. "We have to have help up front, and I thought those guys came in there and did a good job."
OSU dominated on the glass, out-rebounding the All-Stars 46-29, and scored half its 104 points in the paint. Mason and Montonati, who had nine boards, each recorded would-be career-high carom totals.
"I think Brian played well," said Mason. "It's just a confidence thing. He had the OU game last year (when Montonati scored several key baskets late), and that was a big confidence game for him. Sometimes you have a bad game, sometimes you don't. I think tonight was something he needed. We need some of those guys to step up and play."
The Cowboys hit 52.6 percent of their field-goal attempts but made just three of 14 three-point attempts.
"My shooting was not up to par," said Peterson. "I missed a lot of open shots. I think overall, myself and the team, we played pretty well for our first outing. We did a lot of good things, but we also did a lot of bad things as well."
OSU returns to exhibition action Friday night when it hosts Athletes First. The Cowboys' regular-season opener is Monday, when Oklahoma State hosts Northwestern (La.) State.
