The No. 8 Oklahoma State Cowboys improved to 3-0 with a 97-63 victory against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Friday. The Cowboys never trailed in the game and pulled away late in the first half to take any drama of a possible upset out of the equation.
Oklahoma State vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff final score: Cowboys cruise to 97-63 win
Oklahoma State never trailed en route to its third win of the year.
Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Arkansas-Pine Bluff weathered the storm early and pulled even with the Cowboys, 14-14, after OSU took an early lead. Even after a 10-0 OSU run, the Golden Lions battled back once again to cut the Cowboy lead to 25-22. That was the end of the threat, however, as Oklahoma State went on a 13-2 run to pull away. Oklahoma State was even better in the second half, outscoring Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 51-33, en route to the 34-point win.
Markel Brown led the way for Oklahoma State, scoring a game-high 22 points. He was efficient from the floor, making 9 of 13 shots. Marcus Smart wasn't quite as efficient, making 3 of 9 shots, but instead did his damage at the free throw line. Smart made 10 of 14 free throw attempts, getting to the line more often than Arkansas-Pine Bluff did as a team. The Cowboys had a huge advantage in free throw attempts, taking 41 free throws compared to the Golden Lions' 12.
Oklahoma State has been impressive in the early going, winning its first three games by an average of 47.3 points. The Cowboys will now face a tougher test with No. 13 Memphis next up on the schedule.
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