Cowboys Pull Past Bronchos, 89-80 Obi Muonelo and Matt Pilgrim each recorded double-doubles as OSU defeated UCO in exhibition action.

Nov. 7, 2009

Final Stats

Stillwater, Okla. — Senior Obi Muonelo scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while newcomer Matt Pilgrim recorded 14 points and 13 boards as the Oklahoma State Cowboy Basketball team defeated Central Oklahoma 89-80 here Saturday night in exhibition action.

"Just watching the game, I thought our offense was horrible and they scored 89 points," said head coach Travis Ford. "Then watching the game, I thought our defense was pretty good so I started looking at our stats on a piece of paper, and I didn’t like some of those stats."

Muonelo was 6-of-9 from the floor, including 4-of-7 from three-point range, but made just 7-of-11 free throws as the Cowboys shot 60 percent from the charity stripe. Pilgrim was 5-of-7 from the field, but 3-of-8 from the line. Seven of his 13 rebounds were on the offensive glass as OSU outrebounded the smaller Bronchos, 53-31.

The score was tied 21-21 with eight minutes remaining in the first period when the Pokes went on a 16-0 run to take a 37-21 lead. However, UCO went on a 11-0 run of its own to end the half, forcing Oklahoma State into three consecutive turnovers. OSU led just 39-34 at intermission.

The Cowboys led by as many as 18 in the second half, but missed free throws and turnovers — OSU had 27 in the game compared to 17 by UCO — kept the Bronchos in it. Up 71-53 with just under seven minutes remaining, Oklahoma State committed 10 turnovers through the end of the game, but made 11-of-15 free throws as Central Oklahoma was forced to foul to keep the game within reach.

"You don’t go out there and turn the ball over as much as we did," said Ford. "It was a good learning experience for our team, the younger kids and the older kids. I didn’t like our attitude out there. I thought we were a step slow and Central Oklahoma took it to us a little bit. I didn’t get to play a few players as much as I wanted to because we were just trying to figure out how to win the game."

"I can’t say it was totally unexpected how we played but I’m still a little disappointed. I was disappointed with some of the returning players more than the newcomers. I told them after the game that it’s totally unacceptable. I don’t want to hear the excuse that you’re a freshman."

Oklahoma State will return to action Tuesday night as the Cowboys host Dillard (La.) in the second game of a exhibition doubleheader with the women's team at approximately 8:15 p.m.