Colorado
Oklahoma State
OSU Overcomes Halftime Deficit to Defeat Colorado, 64-55
January 26, 2002 | Men's Basketball
STILLWATER, Okla. - The University of Colorado men's basketball team let a five point halftime lead slip by them and fell to No. 11 Oklahoma State, 64-55, preventing the Buffaloes from picking up their first conference road win of the season. It was an emotional game as a year ago Jan. 27, after the two teams met in Boulder, a chartered plane carrying 10 passengers associated with the Oklahoma State basketball program went down near Strasburg, Colo., taking the lives of everyone on board.
"I am really proud of the effort my guys gave," said Colorado coach Ricardo Patton. "We had some good looks and some good shots that just didn't fall. This was the best defensive game we have had all season long."
Stephane Pelle recorded his fourth straight double-double scoring 11 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, and Blair Wilson hit all three of his Colorado's three pointers and finished with 11 points. David Harrison scored a team-high 13 points and pulled down six boards.
Colorado (11-6, 2-4 Big 12) took their first lead of the game with 11:19 remaining in the first half off a lay in by David Harrison, but the Buffs couldn't extend their lead by anymore than six points. Harrison's time on the court was limited as he picked up two quick fouls and was seated on the bench for a majority of the first half. However, older brother D.J. Harrison picked up where David left off as he scored nine points in the final nine minutes to help Colorado keep momentum and lead 32-27 going into the locker rooms, despite shooting only 35 percent from the field.
The Buffs held Oklahoma State's All Big 12 performer and last year's conference Newcomer of the year, Maurice Baker, to only one first half point. But Baker came out and scored eight straight points in the first 2:30 of the second half, including a pair of three pointers, to regain the lead for the Cowboys (17-3, 4-3 Big 12), 37-36--a lead they would never relinquish. Colorado scored four points right off the bat, but only managed three field goals in the first 11 minutes as Oklahoma State outscored the Buffs 18-6 in that same period of time. A three pointer from Blair Wilson cut the deficit to 45-41 before jumpers by Fredrik Jonzen and Ivan McFarlin, and a basket and free throw by Cheyne Gadson, put the Cowboys back up by 10.
Colorado only shot 33.9 percent from the field for the game and were just outrebounded by Oklahoma State 43-42.
Baker scored a game high 16 points, 15 in the second half. McFarlin put in 12 points and Jonzen scored 11 for the Cowboys.
Colorado will return home on Wednesday to face the Baylor Bears (12-6, 2-3 Big 12) for a 7 PM matchup. Baylor knocked the Buffs out of the Big 12 Tournament last year.
