Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Pacific
Cowboys Hold Off Pacific, 66-50
December 29, 2009 | Cowboy Basketball
Dec. 29, 2009
Stillwater, Okla. — James Anderson and Obi Muonelo combined for 47 of OSU's 66 points, and the Cowboys held off a late surge as Oklahoma State defeated Pacific 66-50 here Tuesday night in non-conference basketball action.
OSU made a run early, building a 12-point lead just midway through the first half. The Cowboys held Pacific to just 16 points in the first period as Muonelo outscored the Tigers by himself, 17-16. Oklahoma State led 40-16 and the 24-point halftime lead was the biggest by the Pokes this season.
The Cowboys struggled mightly in the second half as the Tigers went on a 24-7 run and cut the lead to seven with 10 minutes left in the game. Anderson hit a jumper with just under seven minutes to play to put the Pokes up by double digits for good.
“We weren't creating as many shots in the second half and we were taking tougher shots," Coach Travis Ford said following the game. "They got very aggressive on the offensive end. We played a little bit on our heels which has been our problem all year long. We saw the real Pacific team in the second half. The halftime score didn't show how good they were. We aren't that much better than them, we just played a great first half."
Marshall Moses finished with 11 rebounds while Roger Franklin grabbed seven boards coming off the bench for OSU. Sam Willard recorded a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds for Pacific (7-5).
Oklahoma State (11-1) will travel to Uncasville, Conn., this weekend to take on the Rhode Island Rams on Saturday, Jan. 2, at 1 p.m. inside the Mohegan Sun Arena. The game will be televised by ESPNU.
