KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Oklahoma State Cowboys’ season likely came to a close after a disappointing 87-68 loss to Cincinnati in the Big 12 Tournament. Just days after beating the Bearcats, OSU struggled with turnovers and rebounding, ultimately getting eliminated in the opening round.
OSU committed a season-high 24 turnovers and allowed 16 offensive rebounds, leading to multiple Cincinnati dunks that sealed the Cowboys’ fate. Head coach Steve Lutz, wrapping up his first season, acknowledged his team’s poor performance.
Postseason Hopes?
Despite finishing with a 15-17 record, OSU still has an outside shot at a postseason berth in the NIT or the new College Basketball Crown tournament. Lutz expressed support for continuing the season if given the opportunity, stating his players deserved the chance.
The Cowboys had some positive moments late in the regular season, winning three of their last six games, including an upset over No. 9 Iowa State. Their last postseason appearance came two years ago in the NIT.
Connor Dow Provides a Spark
Sophomore Connor Dow was a bright spot for OSU, coming off the bench to hit four three-pointers in eight minutes, finishing with a team-high 12 points. His shooting helped the Cowboys cut the deficit to 12, but Cincinnati quickly regained control.
No other OSU player scored in double figures. Jamyron Keller had nine points, Khalil Brantley added eight, and Arturo Dean contributed seven along with seven steals, the most in a Big 12 Tournament game since 2006. However, Dean also had six turnovers.
Ousmane’s Early Exit Hurts OSU
Senior center Abou Ousmane, a key factor in OSU’s previous win over Cincinnati, played just 10 minutes before fouling out with over 14 minutes left. His frustration led to a technical foul, further hurting the Cowboys’ chances.
With OSU’s season likely over, Lutz will turn his focus to the future as he continues to rebuild the program.
