Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Wichita State
Cowboys Get By Wichita State
December 01, 1999 | Cowboy Basketball
STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) -Oklahoma State more than made up for a poor shooting performance with a dominating finish.
The No. 21 Cowboys scored the final 15 points to beat Wichita State 68-56 on Wednesday night.
Desmond Mason, held to two first-half points, had seven points in the 15-0 run. Joe Adkins made two free throws with 3:14 to go to give the Cowboys (5-0) a 57-56 lead.
"I thought in the final four minutes our ballclub kept its poise. We hit our free throws, didn't turn the ball over and played good defense," Cowboys coach Eddie Sutton said.
Oklahoma State shot 39 percent from the field, and was 0-for-7 from 3-point range.
"Both teams played great defense," Sutton said. "Sometimes when the defense is as intense as it was tonight, the shots don't fall. I think that was the case tonight."
After taking a 56-53 lead, the Shockers (2-1) were 0-for-7 from the field and turned the ball over three times.
"We didn't come here for a moral victory and we didn't want to just play close," Shockers coach Randy Smithson said. "It's the first time in four years that I've walked off after a loss and feel as proud as I feel of our basketball team.
"We just wanted to come in here and give ourselves a chance to win against an outstanding team. I believe they are a top 10 team and I believe we're going to have a great season."
Alex Webber led the Cowboys with 20 points.
"I think they looked at the scouting report and with all the other guys we have they didn't guard me," the center said. "I got lucky and was in the right spot a few times."
Mason added 11 points for Oklahoma State, and Brian Montonati and Glendon Alexander each had 10 each.
Oklahoma State was effective at the free-throw line, shooting 28-for-38. After missing six of its first eight attempts, the Cowboys were 26-for-30.
Darrin Williams led Wichita State with 14 points and 17 rebounds. Jason Perez, who entered the game averaging 27 points, finished with 10 points.
