by STILLWATER- Oklahoma State men’s basketball knocked off Arkansas Monticello, 85-65, in its season-opening exhibition Friday night at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
The Cowboys struggled offensively to open the game, but Tavarius Shine‘s three consecutive three-pointers sparked the OSU offense. Behind Shine’s late first-half surge, the Cowboys took a seven-point lead into half time.
Oklahoma State carried its momentum through into the second half, outscoring the Boll Weevils by 13 in the game’s final 20 minutes. In that time, OSU also dominated the glass, outrebounding Arkansas Monticello, 49-23 for the game and 26-8 on the offensive glass.
Shine and senior Jeffrey Carroll led OSU in scoring, with each tallying 19 points Friday night. Mitchell Solomon and Cameron McGriff both also finished in double figures and hauled in seven rebounds apiece. Sophomore Lindy Waters (Kiowa/Cherokee) finished with 8 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists.
Along with the core of the Cowboys’ returners, newcomers Zach Dawson and Kendall Smith made their first appearances in a Cowboy uniform. Smith, in particular, shined, as he led all Cowboys with seven assists against UAM.
The win also marks the first victory as a head coach for Mike Boynton, Jr.
Oklahoma State is now 57-4 in exhibition play, dating back to the 1973-74 season. Tonight’s game also extends the Cowboys winning streak in exhibition play to 31 games.
OSU officially opens up its 109th season of basketball next Friday, Nov. 10, against Pepperdine. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
