Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Texas
Cowboys Upset Longhorns 81-60
February 19, 2006 | Cowboy Basketball
STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) - JamesOn Curry scored 22 points as Oklahoma State rebounded in impressive fashion following the chaos surrounding coach Eddie Sutton, routing No. 6 Texas 81-60 on Sunday afternoon.
Fans stormed the court after the win, Oklahoma State's second this season against a ranked opponent. The Cowboys (14-12, 4-8 Big 12) had lost seven of their previous eight games, but gave Sutton his 795th career win in a most unlikely fashion - dominating a team in the running for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.
As the clock wound down, Oklahoma State interim coach Sean Sutton - Eddie Sutton's son - worked his way down the bench, hugging his players. It was the third game that Sean Sutton guided the team. Oklahoma State officials have said that even though Eddie Sutton is on a medical leave of absence, any Cowboys victories will go on his record.
Eddie Sutton was injured in an accident Feb. 10 and subsequently charged with drunk driving. He took the medical leave three days after the accident and admitted Wednesday that he had an alcohol problem.
Sutton, who underwent treatment for alcoholism in 1987 when he was the coach at Kentucky, has said he'll seek further treatment for his drinking problem starting later this week.
There were many signs of support for Sutton at Gallagher-Iba Arena, where the court is named for Sutton. One prominent banner read, ``Eddie, we love you ... We're behind you All The Way Coach!!!'' Numerous fans wore orange shirts with Sutton's face on them.
Oklahoma State kept the game at a slower pace in the first half and limited Texas to 29.2 percent shooting, a combination that a resulted in a 31-20 halftime lead for the Cowboys.
Conference leader Texas (22-4, 10-2) struggled against the physical defense and couldn't overcome early foul trouble to guard Daniel Gibson. The Longhorns led only twice, the last time at 9-8, and never came closer than 10 points in the final 11:48.
The closest Texas came in the second half was at 40-33 with 12:53 left. David Monds scored seven points and Curry hit two 3-pointers in a subsequent 15-4 run by the Cowboys that ended with Oklahoma State up 57-39 with 7:19 left.
Mario Boggan and Monds each scored 17 points for Oklahoma State, which earlier this season upset then-No. 23 Tennessee.
Oklahoma State lost 80-46 to Texas on Jan. 23 in the teams' previous meeting, but in the rematch, the Cowboys committed only 10 turnovers, their second-lowest total of the season.
Kenton Paulino and P.J. Tucker each scored 12 points to lead the Longhorns. Center LaMarcus Aldridge had 10 rebounds but only nine points, seven under his season average. Oklahoma State's stifling inside defense caused Aldridge to short-arm several shots.
All four of Texas' losses this season have been by double digits - 31 points to Duke, 17 points to Tennessee, 10 points to Oklahoma and 21 points to Oklahoma State.
