Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
10-13,2-8Big 12
Houston
20-3,7-3Big 12
Cowboys drop road contest to No. 5 Houston
February 06, 2024 | Cowboy Basketball
HOUSTON -- A slow start doomed Oklahoma State in a 79-63 loss to No. 5 Houston on Tuesday evening in the first ever Big 12 Conference matchup between the programs.
Javon Small scored 18 points on 12-of-14 free throw shooting and John-Michael Wright added 13 for the Cowboys (10-13, 2-8) who scored 42 of their 63 points after halftime.
Jamal Shead had 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting for Houston (20-7, 7-3) which raced to a 40-21 halftime lead on the way to its 18th straight win at the Fertitta Center. That streak is tied for the nation's second longest active run.
Houston entered the day as the national leader in scoring defense (54.0), field goal percentage defense (.369) and turnover margin (+7.2).
OSU made eight of its last 12 shots over the final 10:00 to finish the game at 40.5% from the field. The Cowboys made 24 free throws on a season-high 34 attempts but lost the turnover battle 17-10.
Houston shot 49% on 11-of-14 free throw shooting and finished with a 44-16 edge on points in the paint.
OSU took its only lead near the 15:00-mark of the first half when Small found Wright for a three and then sank a pair of free throws for a 7-6 advantage.
Emanuel Sharp answered with a three just 30 seconds later to put the hosts ahead.
Five of OSU's turnovers came during a 12-0 Houston run midway through the first half.
The Cougars led by the double-figures the rest of the way and by as many as 29 with 8:54 to play in the game.
OSU scored 23 points over the final 8:06 to get as close as 15 in the final minute.
The Cowboys are on the road again Saturday at Oklahoma (6 p.m. CT, ESPN+).
