Pokes Bounce Roos 69-51 in Stillwater

Oklahoma State moves to 2-0 on the season with a 69-51 win over Kansas City

STILLWATER -- The Pokes found their rhythm towards the end of the first half as they cruised to a 69-51 win over Kansas City in Stillwater. The Cowboys move to 2-0 on the year.

As it was against Oral Roberts this past Wednesday, Oklahoma State got off to a bit of a slow start as both teams were feeling each other out. But after 17 minute mark in the first half, the Cowboys started to feel it. They went on a nine-point scoring run with 12:06 left to go in the half, and at one point, jumped out to a 16-point lead with just over three minutes left in the first half.

Cowboy senior had a much better scoring day against Kansas City than he did against ORU. By the end of the first half, McGriff had tallied 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting, and 1-of-2 from three-point range. Despite scoring more than he did on Wednesday, McGriff had just about a good a game against Kansas City.

“I do think it was fair to say he was more engaged," said coach Boynton. "I think he tried to play more aggressively in the paint. He took four threes, but I thought all of them were really good shots that were either in transition or were no-doubt, pick and pop shots. The other shots were all really aggressive drives, where he got into the paint, played off two feet and tried to play to and through contact, which is where he is at his best.”

As far as the scoring went for the Pokes, it was spread all over the place. McGriff finished with 12 points, Isaac Likekele finished with 10 points, freshman Kalib Boone finished with eight points.

Sophomore Yor Anei led the way with 13 points on 6-of-10 shooting with three rebounds and one block.

"I feel like I got a little bit stronger and I am able to hold my position for a little bit longer," said Yor Anei. "As opposed to last year, I got pushed off the block every game."

Keeping in the same storyline with Anei, the story of the game was points in the paint. Oklahoma State outscored Kansas City 42-18 in the paint, and out-rebounded the Roos 40-24.

There were a few Cowboy blocks that led to points on the other end, case in point is freshman point guard Avery Anderson.

Anderson turned the ball over at half court, but tracked down the ball and came up with a huge block that led to a Kalib Boone layup on the other end.

Get you a guard that can do both 😤#LetsWork | #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/dg3uIdlhhk

— OSU Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) November 9, 2019

"I thought it was spectacular," said Anei. "I see him do it a lot in practice too so I knew when he was chasing him down that he was going to go get it."

Anderson finished the game with four points on 2-of-4 shooting with two assists and one block.

Oklahoma State will be back in action this coming Wednesday, signing day, as they travel to Charleston. This will be a huge test for the Pokes in that this will be the first D1 road game for a good chunk of the roster.

“We just told the guys, you don’t really know who you are as a team until you have to go on the road and play in a hostile environment, get out of your comfort zone, and have everyone against you," said coach Boynton. "You have to really band together and figure out a way to play against a really good team. They have a really good team that is picked high in their league. They have the player of the year and a really good coach. We respect them a lot, but I look forward to the challenge.”