West Virginia Hosts Oklahoma State on Big Monday

The Mountaineers attempt to end three-game skid against Cowboys

Morgantown, WV - West Virginia will look to bounce back against the Oklahoma State Cowboys (16-11, 7-7) Monday night after the Mountaineers (15-12, 4-10) suffered a stunning home loss to Texas Tech Saturday night. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. EST and the action broadcasting on ESPN2.

The loss marks a three-game losing streak for West Virginia but three of the losses came on the road to top 10 opponents and appeared poised to bounce back at home and capture the season sweep over the Red Raiders on Saturday after winning five of their seven games prior to the two-game road trip.

The Mountaineers struggles have been by their own self-infliction. West Virginia has had opportunities in eight of its 10 conference losses, but it’s been turnovers, missed opportunities at the free throw line, or missed open shots in the latter moments of games which have been the Mountaineers ultimate downfall.

West Virginia guard Erik Stevenson is averaging a team-high 12.9 points per game during league play and is coming off a 27-point performance against Texas Tech, ending a three-game period of not hitting double figures.

Forward Tre Mitchell is second on the team in scoring this season with 11.1 points per game but has failed to reach double figures in the live five contests.

West Virginia’s first meeting with Oklahoma State in Stillwater (OK) was one of the several examples of missed opportunities this season with the Cowboys pulling away late, 67-60. The Cowboys led throughout most of the contest and the Mountaineers largest deficit of 13 came in the second half. West Virginia did fight back to take a one-point lead, propelled by a trio of threes from guard Erik Stevenson. However, he would be assessed a technical for a gesture to the crowd and the Cowboys immediately tied the game from the free throw line.

The Mountaineers had their opportunities to win the game down the stretch, but Stevenson fouled out, and missed shots and attempts from the free throw line cost WVU its second conference loss in as many games and what was the beginning of a five-game losing streak of faltering in the final moments of action.

Oklahoma State hit a three-game skid following the win over West Virginia but won seven of its next eight contests before dropping the last two outings to Kansas and a 25-point thumping at TCU.

Forward Khalib Boone leads Oklahoma State in scoring with 12.1 points per game. The fifth-year senior has upped his production during conference play, averaging a team-best 13.9 ppg and is a game removed from hitting a career-high 27 points.

Moussa Cisse is averaging a team-high 8.1 rebounds per game. The seven-foot-one junior battled through an ankle injury he suffered against the Mountaineers and has since battle back and hit a four-game stretch of averaging 7.8 per game in 20-plus minutes of action, including highs of 11 rebounds in 25 minutes against Kansas during that span.

Guards Bryce Thompson, John-Michael Wright, and Caleb Asberry have compiled 82 of the teams 103 threes (ranks second in the Big 12) during Big 12 Conference play at a clip of 39.4%. Thompson is second on the team in scoring, averaging 11.7 ppg while guard Avery Anderson III averages 11.1 points per game.

Oklahoma State leads the all-time series 12-11 and has won four of the last five meetings. 

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