OSU Wins Big 12 Tourney -- Hoops News from Dallas, Texas, USA
No. 7 Oklahoma St. 65, No. 11 Texas 49
By JAIME ARON, AP Sports Writer
March 14, 2004
DALLAS (AP) -- The Oklahoma State Cowboys went into the Big 12 tournament knowing they were long shots to get a top seed in the NCAA tournament.
They sure made a convincing case.
Showing off their tenacious defense and athleticism for three days, seventh-ranked Oklahoma State saved its best performance for the finals, beating No. 11 Texas 65-49 Sunday to add the tournament championship to their regular-season title.
Alas, it wasn't enough. Even with four of the teams ranked ahead of them losing in recent days, the Cowboys (27-3) wound up with a second seed. They play Eastern Washington on Friday in Kansas City.
While disappointed, they still matched the 1992 squad for best seed in school history, quite a feat for a team widely picked to finish fifth in the league as it tried blending three transfers and two holdovers.
``They play so hard, a high level of intensity that shows up in loose balls, rebounds, hustle plays,'' coach Eddie Sutton said. ``I'm not sure I've ever been prouder of a basketball team than this one. They'll always be very special.''
The Cowboys strutted their stuff from the start of this game, holding Texas (23-7) to five turnovers and a blocked shot during a six-possession span during an 18-2 run.
The Longhorns chipped away to get within three with 14:48 to go, but didn't make another field goal until the final minute.
Tournament MVP Tony Allen set the tone with his shutdown performance against Brandon Mouton, Texas' leading scorer. Mouton had four turnovers and just one basket in the first half. He finished with just six points on 3-of-11 shooting. Allen, meanwhile, scored a game-high 21.
By JAIME ARON, AP Sports Writer
March 14, 2004
DALLAS (AP) -- The Oklahoma State Cowboys went into the Big 12 tournament knowing they were long shots to get a top seed in the NCAA tournament.
They sure made a convincing case.
Showing off their tenacious defense and athleticism for three days, seventh-ranked Oklahoma State saved its best performance for the finals, beating No. 11 Texas 65-49 Sunday to add the tournament championship to their regular-season title.
Alas, it wasn't enough. Even with four of the teams ranked ahead of them losing in recent days, the Cowboys (27-3) wound up with a second seed. They play Eastern Washington on Friday in Kansas City.
While disappointed, they still matched the 1992 squad for best seed in school history, quite a feat for a team widely picked to finish fifth in the league as it tried blending three transfers and two holdovers.
``They play so hard, a high level of intensity that shows up in loose balls, rebounds, hustle plays,'' coach Eddie Sutton said. ``I'm not sure I've ever been prouder of a basketball team than this one. They'll always be very special.''
The Cowboys strutted their stuff from the start of this game, holding Texas (23-7) to five turnovers and a blocked shot during a six-possession span during an 18-2 run.
The Longhorns chipped away to get within three with 14:48 to go, but didn't make another field goal until the final minute.
Tournament MVP Tony Allen set the tone with his shutdown performance against Brandon Mouton, Texas' leading scorer. Mouton had four turnovers and just one basket in the first half. He finished with just six points on 3-of-11 shooting. Allen, meanwhile, scored a game-high 21.