Cowboys bully past Seton Hall

Sunday, December 8

Newark, N.J. / Prudential Center

11:00 AM

Oklahoma State University

6-2,0-0Big 12

Seton Hall

5-5,0-0Big East

Oklahoma St.

Seton Hall

Photo by: OSU Athletics

December 08, 2024 | Cowboy Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Postgame Notes (PDF)

NEWARK, N.J. -- Oklahoma State succeeded in doing something that most teams have struggled to do so far – speed up defensive minded Seton Hall.

OSU (6-2) rattled the host Pirates with its defensive pressure, using a series of turnovers and fastbreak baskets to build a 19-point halftime lead on the way to an 85-76 road win on Sunday afternoon at the Prudential Center.

The victory clinched a 6-5 decision for the Big 12 in its annual challenge series with the Big East conference.

Robert Jennings II and Jamyron Keller scored 14 each to lead a balanced OSU box score. Brandon Newman (13 points), Abou Ousmane (13) and Arturo Dean (11) also finished in double-figures, and Khalil Brantley tacked on nine points with eight assists.

Dean tallied four steals including the 200^th of his collegiate career. He's the first member of the 2022 freshman class to reach that milestone.

Keller became the seventh different Cowboy to take a turn as leading scorer through the first eight games.

The Cowboys shot 56.9% from the field, including over 60% in the first half against a Seton Hall team that entered the day ranked third nationally in scoring defense, previously limiting its opponents to 56.6 points on 38% shooting.

OSU made 11 of its first 13 shots, including 5-of-7 from three, during a 27-9 start and led 45-26 at the intermission.

OSU's defensive pressure unlocked easy a series of easy opportunities. The Cowboys registered 10 first-half takeaways and outscored their hosts 17-2 off turnovers and 16-0 on fastbreaks.

Seton Hall committed just four more turnovers after halftime and succeeded in cutting a 25-point to as little as seven points with 54 seconds to play, but the Cowboys finished the game with eight consecutive free throw makes to secure the win.

The game – just the second ever between the schools – was a rematch of the 2000 Sweet 16 when OSU defeated the Pirates, 68-66. Current Seton Hall coach Shaheen Holloway was a senior point guard for the latter.

OSU improved to 2-0 on the road, doubling its win total from a season ago (1-9).

The Cowboys are back in action next Saturday at Oklahoma City's Paycom Center against the 21^st ranked Oklahoma Sooners in the 250^th men's basketball edition of the Bedlam rivalry (7 p.m. CT, ESPNU). Fans can secure seats in the OSU section by visiting okstate.com/tickets.