Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Baylor
Cowboys Fall to Baylor in Waco, 86-82
March 04, 2007 | Cowboy Basketball
It was just the fifth 40-point game in Oklahoma State history and the first since Randy Rutherford scored 45 points against Kansas on March 5, 1995. The other 40-point performances were scored by Bob Kurland (58 vs. St. Louis on Feb. 22, 1946), Arlen Clark (42 vs. Colorado on March 17, 1959) and Ed Odom (41 vs. Pan American on Dec. 22, 1979).
Curry made 12-of-18 shots from the field, including a career-best 7-of-10 from beyond the three-point arc. He was also a perfect 9-of-9 from the free-throw line. Curry played all 40 minutes despite suffering from an ear infection that caused him to sit out most of practice on Thursday.
Oklahoma State trailed by 10 points nearly 11 minutes into the game as the Bears connected on three treys and several layups. The Cowboys went into halftime down by nine, 41-32.
Baylor built the lead to 18 points just eight minutes into the second half and Oklahoma State trailed 64-46 with 12 minutes remaining. OSU went on an 11-3 run and cut the lead to 10 thanks to five-consecutive points by Curry and a pair of baskets by Cooper.
Ten straight points by Curry, including a steal and a slam, cut the Bears' lead to three with 4:09 left in the game. But, the Cowboys got no closer and a desperation three by Curry at the buzzer gave him his 40th point.
Sophomore Kenny Cooper stepped up in the absence of the Cowboys' leading scorer, Mario Boggan, who sat out a one-game suspension. Cooper scored a career-high 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting and was 2-of-3 from the charity stripe.
The Cowboy defense was porous at best, allowing the Bears to shoot 60 percent from the field, including a staggering 12-of-18 (66.7 percent) from three-point range. Baylor's defense forced 18 Cowboy turnovers, turning those miscues into 22 points.
Freshman guard Obi Muonelo made his first appearance in 18 games since a leg injury in mid-December. He played just three minutes, but had a rebound and an assist.
Oklahoma State (20-10 overall, 6-9 Big 12) will close out the regular season on Monday night as the Cowboys travel to Lincoln, Neb., to make up a game with the Nebraska Huskers. The game will not be televised, but can be heard on the Cowboy Radio Network.
