Wisconsin didn't need a dramatic finish to make its final exhibition memorable. The Badgers defeated Oklahoma State 82-65 Tuesday night at the Kohl Center, completing a perfect three-game preseason while producing an impressive shooting performance from beyond the arc. The Cowboys had some encouraging individual moments, but the final statistics revealed two problems they must address before November.
Wisconsin connected on 18 of its 41 three-point attempts, shooting 43.9 percent from beyond the arc. Oklahoma State made only five of its 24 attempts and committed 22 turnovers, creating a difficult combination for a team trying to win on the road. The Badgers outscored the Cowboys 54-15 from three-point range, a 39-point difference in a game decided by 17.
Wisconsin found answers throughout its lineup
The Badgers' offensive success wasn't built around one player having an extraordinary shooting night. Eight Wisconsin players made at least one three-pointer, demonstrating the variety of options available to coach Greg Gard. Eian Elmer connected on three triples, while Trey Autry and Zach Kinziger each made two from the bench.
Owen Foxwell led Wisconsin with 19 points, including 16 during the first half, while adding three assists and three rebounds. Elmer contributed 11 points, and Nolan Winter, Braeden Carrington and Austin Rapp scored 10 apiece. The Badgers also received 39 bench points, giving them a considerable advantage over an Oklahoma State reserve group that produced only 14.
That balance is an encouraging development for Wisconsin as the program adjusts to roster changes. The Badgers have demonstrated an ability to score from several positions, making it difficult for opponents to concentrate their defensive attention on one player. Wisconsin also recorded 17 assists compared with Oklahoma State's nine, another indication of how effectively its offense functioned.
Oklahoma State's struggles went beyond the perimeter
The Cowboys actually held advantages in a couple of important categories. Oklahoma State outrebounded Wisconsin 38-36 and outscored the Badgers 24-12 in the paint, demonstrating that the visitors could compete physically. Those numbers make the final result particularly revealing because the Cowboys lost comfortably despite controlling some of the traditional interior statistics.
The difference came from perimeter shooting and possessions wasted through turnovers. Oklahoma State shot 40 percent from the field, including just 20.8 percent from three, and repeatedly struggled to generate enough offense to answer Wisconsin's outside shooting. The Cowboys trailed 40-26 at halftime after making only nine of their 32 first-half field-goal attempts.
Junior center Julius Halaifonua led Oklahoma State with 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting, while Jacob Walker scored 12 points and distributed four assists. Kashie Natt finished with 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists after nearly recording a triple-double against Tulsa in the previous exhibition. Those performances gave Oklahoma State several positives, but the team couldn't overcome its shooting disadvantage.
The second half offered a glimpse of improvement
Oklahoma State was more effective offensively after halftime, making 13 of its 23 field-goal attempts for 56.5 percent shooting. The Cowboys also produced a 7-0 run that reduced Wisconsin's lead to 65-57 with 7:19 remaining, briefly creating an opportunity to make the game competitive. Carrington answered with a three-pointer, helping the Badgers maintain control down the stretch.
That sequence illustrated the challenge Oklahoma State faced throughout the evening. The Cowboys could generate enough offense to create a promising stretch, but Wisconsin's perimeter shooting repeatedly prevented them from building sustained momentum. Against opponents capable of making shots from several positions, defensive mistakes become especially costly.
The Cowboys finished their three-game exhibition schedule with a 1-2 record and will open the regular season November 2 against Incarnate Word. Wisconsin begins official competition the same day against Denver, carrying the confidence of three exhibition victories into the new season.
For the Badgers, Tuesday reinforced the possibility that their balanced offense could become a major strength. For Oklahoma State, the defeat provided a clear list of priorities before the regular season begins. Protecting the basketball and limiting open perimeter opportunities must improve if the Cowboys hope to compete consistently in the Big 12.
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