Oklahoma State Escapes WVU 70-66 to Secure First Big 12 Win

Oklahoma State outplayed WVU in the final minutes to defeat the Mountaineers 70-66 in Stillwater, Ok. on Saturday afternoon.

Oklahoma State (9-11, 1-6 Big 12) picked up their first Big 12 win of the season. West Virginia (7-13, 2-5 Big 12) is still searching for their first win outside of Morgantown.

WVU went the final three minutes without hitting a field goal.

Oklahoma State stayed in the game by scoring in the paint and out-rebounding West Virginia. Heading into the game, the Cowboys averaged the least amount of rebounds per game in the Big 12. Freshman big Brandon Garrison had 20 points, five rebounds and four assists.

OSU hit crucial back-to-back threes by John-Michael Wright and Bryce Thompson to take the lead with three minutes left in the game.

WVU G Kerr Kriisa had himself a great performance on Saturday, scoring 21 points on 6-of-8 shooting from three. The Arizona transfer also had five rebounds but did foul out of the game. Kriisa hit back-to-back threes with seven minutes left in the game, resulting in a timeout by OSU HC Mike Boynton.

West Virginia shot the ball well from deep, shooting 10-of-22 beyond the arc. Kriisa and Quinn Slazinski specifically shot it well for the Mountaineers. Slazinski scored 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting.

WVU G Noah Farrakhan found Akok Akok in the paint to regain the lead from Oklahoma State midway through the second half. Before Akok’s basket, Farrakhan scored three baskets for the Mountaineers while OSU went on two small runs.

West Virginia went on a 13-0 run in the first half, highlighted by back-to-back threes by Slazinski. WVU’s run helped them cruise to a one-point lead heading into halftime.

WVU C Jesse Edwards returned to the floor off the bench for the Mountaineers with 14 minutes left in the first half. Edwards has been out of action since Dec. 16 with a fractured right wrist that he suffered in the UMass game. The 6-foot-11 big man had his right wrist and hand wrapped up.

Edwards played 16 minutes with four points and four rebounds.

West Virginia will return back home to prepare for a matchup with Cincinnati on Wednesday night at the WVU Coliseum. The Mountaineers and Bearcats will tip off at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.