Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
5-0
Oregon State
3-1
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon State | 24 | 29 | 53 |
| Oklahoma State | 30 | 36 | 66 |
Cowboys Finish Strong Over Oregon State, 66-53
November 24, 2014 | Cowboy Basketball
LAS VEGAS (AP) - Phil Forte scored 13 points in the second half Monday night to lead Oklahoma State to a 66-53 victory over Oregon State in the opening game of the MGM Grand Main Event.
The Cowboys (5-0) will meet the winner of the tournament's second game between Auburn and Tulsa for the championship Wednesday night.
Forte, Oklahoma State's leading scorer, made just one of his first five shots but then came on strong in the final half, finishing with 17 points on 4-of-11 shooting. His steal and drive with 5:03 left in regulation gave the Cowboys a double-digit lead, 55-45, and they coasted to the finish.
Le'Bryan Nash led Oklahoma State with 19 points, although he was plagued by foul trouble in the second half. Jeffrey Carroll added 13, and Anthony Hickey had 12.
Victor Robbins led the Beavers (3-1) with 16 points.
The Cowboys had to overcome a seven-point deficit in the first half, but finished with a rush, outscoring Oregon State 21-8 over the final 11 minutes to lead 30-24 at the break.
Oklahoma State missed seven shots in a row at one point, but then seemed to find a rhythm against the Beavers' zone defense, making seven of its last nine shots in the first half. Carroll had two three-pointers, giving him 11 points.
Carroll and Nash combined to make 8 of 12 baskets, but the rest of the Cowboys were just 2 of 10 from the floor.
Victor Robbins led the Beavers at the half with eight points.
TIP-INS
Oregon State: Former NBA great Gary Payton sat courtside across from the Beavers bench to watch his son, Gary Payton II, a starter at guard after transferring from Salt Lake Community College. The elder Payton was a consensus All-American at Oregon State. Payton II, who attended Spring Valley High School in Las Vegas, scored 10 points and had six rebounds.
Oklahoma State: A step up in competition obviously had an impact on the Cowboys. They hadn't scored fewer than 74 points in any of their first four games and totaled 91 in a win over Northwest Oklahoma State, but they had just 30 in the first half Monday and finished with 66.
UP NEXT
Oregon State plays either Auburn or Tulsa in the Main Event consolation game Wednesday night.
Oklahoma State will play either Auburn or Tulsa for the championship.
