Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Cincinnati
Cowboys Tame Bearcats, 69-62, In Season Opener
November 16, 2001 | Cowboy Basketball
Nov 16, 2001
Final Stats?|? Quotes?|? Notes
By OWEN CANFIELD
AP Sports Writer
STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) - Victor Williams scored 15 of his 20 points in the second half and Maurice Baker had 16 points and nine rebounds, leading No. 18 Oklahoma State to a 69-62 victory over Cincinnati in the opener for both teams Friday night.
Oklahoma State (20-10 last year) overcame a 31-point night by Cincinnati guard Steve Logan, who had 25 in the second half and scored 10 of the Bearcats' final 12 points.
Cincinnati had won 21 straight season openers dating to 1979. Oklahoma State has won 94 of 95 home games against nonconference opponents since January 1987.
A breakaway basket by Williams gave the Cowboys their biggest lead, 33-20, three minutes into the second half. Logan helped lead Cincinnati back and the Bearcats only trailed 45-41at the midway point.
Baker then hit a 3-pointer and Williams make consecutive jumpers from behind the line to push the lead to 54-44. Cincinnati got no closer than six the rest of the way, as the Cowboys made seven free throws in the final 1:28.
Both teams had a tough time generating much offense. The Bearcats had only five first-half field goals and wound up shooting 38 percent. Oklahoma State shot 45 percent.
Each team struggled against the other's rugged man-to-man defense. During one three-minute stretch in the first half, each team went six possessions without scoring - Cincinnati had three turnovers and three missed shots, Oklahoma State had four turnovers and three misses.
A 9-0 run that started midway through the first half gave the Cowboys 21-12 lead. Cincinnati missed five shots and turned it over three times during that time before Immanuel McElroy scored on a follow shot, one of only three offensive rebounds for the Bearcats in the first half.
Cincinnati went 25-10 last year and reached the round of 16 in the NCAA tournament.
The start of the game was delayed about 15 minutes because a computer malfunction caused the lights to stay off after the Cowboys were introduced.
