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Oklahoma State Basketball: Cowboys try to extend winning streak against OU

By Andrew Miller

Jan 30, 2017; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys forward Leyton Hammonds (23) drives to the basket in front of Oklahoma Sooners center Jamuni McNeace (4) during the first half at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2017; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys forward Leyton Hammonds (23) drives to the basket in front of Oklahoma Sooners center Jamuni McNeace (4) during the first half at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Oklahoma State basketball team enters their Saturday Bedlam matchup with the Oklahoma Sooners looking to extend their current two game streak.

The Oklahoma State basketball team gets their second crack at the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. CT. This time the Pokes take on OU at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater. Last time, the Pokes defeated the Sooners 68-66 at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman. You can catch this game Saturday on ESPNU.

Senior shooting guard Phil Forte hit a game winning three pointer with around 10 seconds remaining in the game to seal the victory for OK State. However, Forte had a rather quiet game against the TCU Horned Frogs in the Cowboys’ 71-68 victory in Fort Worth, TX. He only scored three points on 1-5 shooting from the field.

It’s an opportunity for the Pokes to claim their third straight victory since their loss to the no. 4 Baylor Bears. They have also won seven of their last eight games.

OK State enters this game with a 17-9 (6-7 Big 12) record. It would be a truly amazing feat for the Pokes to get back to .500 in Big 12 play if they defeat the Sooners. Head coach Brad Underwood started his tenure with the Pokes with six straight losses in conference play. Moreover, OK State would be the first team since the Maryland Terrapins in the 1980s to lose their first six games in conference play and still make the NCAA Tournament, if they get a bid on Selection Sunday.

Freshman guard Lindy Waters III had an enormous game the first time the Cowboys played the Sooners this season. His 11 point effort would eventually garner him Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honors. He is likely to return from a foot injury he suffered before the Baylor game on Feb. 8. Waters III did not play against TCU.

Star sophomore point guard Jawun Evans and junior forward Jeffrey Carroll played great against the Frogs yesterday. They posted 33 points combined, leading the Cowboys to the eventual win.

Yet, maybe the most impressive performance yesterday came from senior forward Leyton Hammonds who posted a career high 21 points, while also adding seven rebounds and one steal. His contributions would be a huge addition to the Cowboy attack if his recent production becomes a consistent thing.

OU’s senior point guard Jordan Woodard had a relatively silent game in the first Bedlam matchup. He only scored seven points even though he leads the Sooners in overall scoring. Expect him to have a much better outing on Saturday.

Next: Cowboys extend winning streak to two games after TCU victory

Before the Cowboys defeated the Sooners on Jan. 30, OU had a seven game winning streak against OK State. That’s still a big hump for the Pokes to consistently overcome. You can view the entire OK State basketball schedule here.

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