Stillwater, Okla. – The Baylor Bears picked up a crucial road victory against a BIG 12 opponent, the Oklahoma State Cowboys, in a 66-64 overtime win.
The game was scoreless until the 17:33 mark when Baylor got a fastbreak layup.
Baylor only knocked down four of their 14 attempted three in the first half as Oklahoma State’s defense battled on the perimeter. Oklahoma State only shot eight threes, but was much more efficient, hitting three of them.
The Cowboys closed the half making nine of 10 field goals and up 36-29 at the half.
Adam Flagler, the junior from Duluth, Georgia, hit shot after shot for Baylor as they mounted their second-half comeback. He scored 29 points, shooting 11 for 20 from the field in an outstanding effort.
Flagler hit yet another pull-up three-pointer to put the Bears up 60-58 in the final minute and a half of regulation. The Cowboys responded right back with a second-chance layup by Issac Likekele, and after the Bears missed a shot, the Cowboys had an opportunity for the last shot. After a shot clock violation and a miss at the buzzer, the game was forced to overtime.
James Akinjo, who only had six points in this game, hit the game-winning shot in the game’s final moments to give Baylor the win.
OKLAHOMA STATE WINS THE REBOUND BATTLE, BUT IT WAS NOT ENOUGH
The Cowboys had 42 rebounds to the Bears’ 37, but Oklahoma State was unable to come out victorious. Baylor did win the offensive rebounding margin by one, finishing with 13 offensive rebounds compared to Oklahoma State’s 11.
That was not the only way Baylor created extra possessions as the turnover numbers heavily favored the Bears, finishing with 17 turnovers forced and converted 19 points off those turnovers.
WHAT’S NEXT
Baylor does not have it easy in their next game, but they have plenty of rest to take on the Kansas Jayhawks on February 26.
The Cowboys end their homestand with a quick trip down the road to Norman, Oklahoma to take on the Sooners on February 26.
