NCAA Basketball: Takeaways from Oakland’s home loss to Oklahoma State

This game was a rematch of last season’s contest in which Oakland went on the road and beat Oklahoma State 56-55.

Oklahoma State coming off of an upset loss at home against Southern Illinois dominated Oakland on both ends of the floor for a convincing road victory over the Golden Grizzlies. Oakland lost their last game at home to Bowling Green by a score of 87-82 and they hoped to bounce back against the Cowboys but Oklahoma State’s defense was dominant and the Cowboys were able to make their outside shots. Let’s take a look at the three takeaways from the game.

Oakland struggled offensively in the first half

The Golden Grizzlies only scored 27 first-half points against Oklahoma State. Oakland shot nine for thirty-two from the field for a 28.1% shooting percentage. They also made only one three-point attempt out of 13 attempts for a 7.7% shooting percentage from beyond the arch entering halftime. The Golden Grizzlies did shoot well from the free throw line in the first half though but that was the only positive from the first half offensively for Oakland. Point guard Jalen Moore a first-team preseason Horizon League play only scored three first-half points as well.

Oklahoma State size gave the Grizzlies problems in the first half

The Cowboys have size and it starts with 7’1 junior Moussa Cisse at center. Oklahoma State also has 6’9 senior Kalib Boone and 6’9 junior Tyreek Smith anchoring their frontcourt. The Cowboys outrebounded the Golden Grizzlies 26 to 17 in the first half and they limited Oakland’s big men offensive production in the first half as well. Cisse had five points, seven rebounds, and a block, and Boone had seven points, five rebounds, and two assists at halftime. Smith came off the bench and had four points and two rebounds in the first half for Oklahoma State. Combined, all three players had 16 points and 14 rebounds at the half for the Cowboys.

The Cowboys balanced scoring helped them pull away to a double-digit victory over Oakland in the second half

Senior guard John-Michael Wright shot very well from the outside against Oakland shooting six for nine from the field and four for seven from three-point range for 16 points. Cisse at times was dominant down low with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks. Senior guard Caleb Asberry had 13 points and senior guard Avery Anderson III made seven of his nine attempted shots for 18 points for the Cowboys. Senior guard Chris Harris Jr. came off of the bench and made three of his four three-point attempts.

After the loss, Oakland next plays at Toledo on Nov. 16 and Oklahoma State hosts UCF on Nov. 18. The Golden Grizzlies will look to turn things around after their 91-62 loss to the Cowboys. Moore more than likely will not have a game like the one he had today where he was held to only three points and Rocket Watts will continue to get comfortable in Oakland’s head coach Greg Kampe’s offense and more is expected of him going further into non-conference play.