Pokes Block ORU Comeback, Open Season with 80-75 Win

Oklahoma State started the season on the right foot with an 80-75 win over Oral Roberts

STILLWATER -- Things started to look a little hairy for Oklahoma State in their season-opener against ORU. The Cowboys were up 16-points at one point in the second half, but the Golden Eagles made a run late in the half and cut the lead down to one with just over two and a half minutes left in the game.

But the Cowboy defense came up with a couple of key stops in the final minute of the game, including two huge blocks by sophomore Yor Anei, sank some key free throws and came away with the 80-75 win.

“I’ll be perfectly honest, I want as many of those games as I can have between now and Dec. 31 before we start playing conference play," said head coach Mike Boynton. "I get that people want to see us run away and win by 25 points. There is certainly things you can learn about those wins, but these situations that come up where our guys have to stay engaged the whole time are going to be good for us.”

It was an entertaining, fast-paced game from start to finish, and for the Cowboys, it was the perfect way to end it: exciting. Especially with the top-remaining recruit on the Cowboy coaching staff's board, Bryce Thompson sitting behind the bench with his family.

The Cowboy faithful showed up tonight, especially the student section, and was electric. There were even several times throughout the night that everyone chanted "We want Bryce!"

It was a great game back for both sophomores, Isaac Likekele and Yor Anei, as they led the Pokes in multiple categories.

Anei finished with his second-career double-double as he scored 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field, 3-of-6 from the free throw line, with 10 rebounds and eight blocks.

It was his 10th game with four or more blocked shots, effectively passing Bryant Reeves for fifth all-time in school history in games with four or more blocks. It also marked his 18th consecutive game with at least one block, and the second most blocks in a game in school history.

“He was a force in there," said coach Boynton. "He was able to change the complexion of the end of the game because of his aggressiveness and making them have to change their shots and kick it out more.”

As for Likekele, he finished with a team-high 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting, 1-of-2 from 3-point range and 5-of-7 from the free throw line. He also hauled in nine rebounds, dished five assists and had one steal.

“When he is playing in attack mode and playing downhill, he is a bear to guard for most point guards," said Boynton. "Tonight he had six inches on the guy who was guarding him for most of the game. He is hard to contend with when he gets into the paint. He stepped up and made a couple of key free throws for us late.”

Freshman Keylan Boone also had a great coming out party as he finished with 11 points on 3-of-5 shooting, all three coming from beyond 3-point range, and 2-for-2 from the free throw line. He also hauled in three rebounds.

It was tough sledding there for a while for Oklahoma State. While it's a combined number for both teams, there were 50 total fouls called tonight, 23 of which were against the Cowboys. A few of the more crucial fouls came in the final two minutes of the game allowing ORU to stay within striking range.

But it was the clutch free throw shooting from the Cowboys, especially senior Cameron McGriff that helped push the Pokes over the edge. They combined for 26-of-34 from the line, with McGriff making 10-of-10.

“We were in those situations all last year," said Isaac Likelele. "Last year we lost a lot of games due to one or two plays. The five guys that were in the game at the end were the same that were in the end last year. So you know we are just trying to find different ways to make those changes that actually gets us a result of winning and not losing. Last year I feel like all the mistakes and experience from us five, we just learned off us which allowed us to capitalize off this wind tonight.”

While it wasn't the desired way to get a win, the Pokes still started the season off 1-0.

“We went through a similar situation in our first game last season," said coach Boynton. "We had a lead, we let it go and we didn’t make plays late to seal it. I was proud of the way our guys responded to this situation. It got dicey there, but our guys bowed up and made defensive stops when we needed to and knocked down free throws to put it away.”

Oklahoma State is back in action this coming Saturday, Nov. 9, as they play host to Kansas City. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.