Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Northwestern State
Cowboys earn victory over Northwestern State, 90-62
November 23, 2003 | Cowboy Basketball
“We played in spurts like we've been playing,” said OSU Coach Eddie Sutton. “One thing we're doing well is our transition game. Once we get the basketball, we are doing a good job of getting down the floor and getting our baskets off our defense.”
Tony Allen scored a game-high 18 points in just 26 minutes for the Pokes, while Ivan McFarlin scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Janavor Weatherspoon scored 13 points on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting night, while the Graham twins, Joey and Stephen, scored 13 and 12 points, respectively.
“When you have that kind of depth, it is a good thing because there are nights when players have bad nights and somebody has to step up,” said Sutton. “I thought Janavor played much better tonight. Hopefully, that is the way it will be all season long.”
Oklahoma State (1-0) took a 10-point lead just five minutes into the contest when John Lucas scored on a fastbreak layup to put OSU ahead, 16-6. It was two of 20 fastbreak points scored by the Cowboys.
OSU extended the lead to 21 at 48-27 with 1:22 remaining in the first period, and the Cowboys took a 51-31 lead into the lockerroom at intermission. Joey Graham had all 13 points in the first half.
The second half looked much like the first as OSU outscored the Demons (0-1), 39-31, in the second stanza. McFarlin and Allen each scored nine points in the final period.
“Oklahoma State had one run at about the six-minute mark where it seemed like it was 20-0,” said NSU coach Mike McConathy. “It was only 8-5, but it was really dunk city out there. They did a good job.”
Oklahoma State shot 61 percent for the game, the highest percentage by a Cowboy squad since Nov. 28, 2000, when OSU shot 63.6 percent against North Texas in Denton. The Pokes also dished out 21 assists, the most since the second game of last year when OSU had 21 assists vs. Alaska-Anchorage in the Great Alaska Shootout.
Oklahoma State's next game will be Wednesday, Nov. 26, as the Cowboys host Colorado State in the Mabee Center in Tulsa. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
“The Colorado State game will be a real test,” said Sutton. “They are a really good basketball team. I hope the people in Eastern Oklahoma will get out and support the team and play the part of the sixth man.”
