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Oklahoma State men's basketball showcases depth in season-opening win over Incarnate Word
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- Oklahoma State men's basketball showcases depth in season-opening win over Incarnate Word
(USA TODAY Network)
STILLWATER, Okla. — Oklahoma State men's basketball opened its season with a convincing 91–60 victory over Incarnate Word on Monday, using a dominant first half and balanced scoring effort to take control early.
The Cowboys received 58 points from their bench, while Luka Bogavac led the team with 14 points in just 15 minutes of action.
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Oklahoma State established a commanding 54–17 halftime advantage and never trailed, providing an encouraging start to the regular season despite a less productive second half.
Cowboys take control early
Oklahoma State wasted little time establishing momentum, opening the game on a 12–2 run before extending its advantage to 22–9 midway through the first half. The Cowboys continued pulling away as the half progressed, building a 28–9 lead with 8:50 remaining before stretching the margin to 43–14 late in the period.
By halftime, Oklahoma State held a 37-point advantage, having scored 54 points while limiting Incarnate Word to just 17. The Cowboys' defensive pressure played a significant role in creating scoring opportunities throughout the contest.
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Oklahoma State forced 21 turnovers and converted those mistakes into 27 points. The Cowboys also collected 15 offensive rebounds, generating 21 second-chance points. Their ability to create additional possessions helped establish control well before the halftime break.
Balanced scoring highlights Oklahoma State's depth
While Bogavac led the Cowboys with 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting, several players contributed to the offensive production. Jordan Burks and Parker Robinson finished with 11 points apiece, while Andrija Grbovic added 10. Jacob Walker provided an all-around performance, finishing with eight points, eight assists and four steals while committing just one turnover.
Oklahoma State's bench accounted for 58 of its 91 points, demonstrating the scoring options available throughout the rotation. The Cowboys finished shooting 44.6% from the field and 37.9% from beyond the arc, connecting on 11 three-pointers. They also recorded 34 points in the paint and 15 fast-break points.
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Second-half slowdown doesn't threaten outcome
After its dominant opening half, Oklahoma State's offense cooled considerably over the final 20 minutes. The Cowboys scored 37 second-half points on 40.7% shooting, including just 3-of-11 from three-point range.
Incarnate Word outscored Oklahoma State 43–37 after halftime, narrowing the final margin despite never seriously threatening the Cowboys' advantage.
Oklahoma State still maintained control throughout the second half, with its lead reaching as many as 39 points late in the contest. The Cowboys finished with 15 assists against just nine turnovers, another encouraging sign from their season-opening performance.
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While the second-half scoring disparity leaves room for improvement, Oklahoma State's defensive pressure, rebounding and balanced production provided plenty of positives in its first regular-season game.
