USAO Has Hard Time With OSU in Exhibition

STILLWATER ­– Holding a slim lead through the first five minutes, the USAO men’s basketball team was out scored 25-5 over the next 10 minutes and eventually lost 113-59 to Oklahoma State University Tuesday night at Gallagher-Iba Arena.

Two Drovers scored in double figures in the exhibition game, which does not count toward either team’s season record or individual statistics. It was also the first time any USAO basketball team has played an NCAA Division I opponent. On Thursday, the Drovers get back to reality, as Central Oklahoma comes to USAO Fieldhouse for an 8 p.m. tipoff.

"It was a great experience for our players to come into a historical place and to face a team that is coached by a legend,” said coach Brisco McPherson. “Gallagher-Iba Arena is a great atmosphere for college basketball."

USAO led by as many as five points with just four minutes gone in the game, but OSU scored eight straight points over the next two minutes to take the lead for good at 15-12 with 13:52 to go. The Cowboys led 54-31 at halftime and put on a dunk-fest in the second half to put the Drovers away.

Senior forward Wayne Gibson led the Drovers with 21 points, three rebounds and three assists. Junior guard Nate Foster came off the bench and hit two 3-pointers to finish with 10 points, as the only other Drover in double figures.

Senior Keith Miller and junior Romeil Perkins finished with six points each, while Perkins grabbed a team-high five rebounds. Senior Tony Jimmerson finished with five points, and sophomore Avery Stevenson added four points, four rebounds and a team-high three assists.

Freshman Kareem Ligons finished with three points, and freshman Kevin Thames and junior Wayne Walls collected two points each. As a team, USAO hit 31 percent (22-of-70) from the field, 16 percent (5-of-32) from 3-point range and 56 percent (10-of-18) from the free throw line. The Drovers finished with 25 rebounds, 10 assists, and seven steals.

Five Cowboys scored in double figures, led by Joey Graham’s 19 points and nine rebounds. Ivan McFarlin and John Lucas each scored 18 for OSU, while freshman JamesOn Curry chipped in 17. Stephen Graham had 10 points for the Cowboys.