Starter Lindy Waters exits Cowboys’ loss with injury

STILLWATER — Oklahoma State’s Lindy Waters has shown a knack for taking a charge. He tried to display it again Wednesday, but instead, he ended up on Eddie Sutton Court in pain.

In OSU’s 82-72 loss to Kansas State, Waters, who took 15 charges in OSU’s first 25 games, sought another. As Wildcats guard Barry Brown drove, Waters planted his feet. Brown and Waters collided, with officials calling a foul on Waters. Meanwhile, he lay on the court, wincing and grabbing at his lower back. After a visit from a trainer and coach

Mike Boynton, Waters hobbled off the floor under his own power. He briefly went into OSU’s locker room before returning to the Cowboys’ bench. Waters did not play the final 11 minutes and 25 seconds of the game.

Boynton was unsure of Waters’ status going forward after the game, adding he would know more later.

Waters is part of a starting five that Boynton has used for four straight games. The sophomore entered Wednesday averaging 8.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.

Wildcats’ Brown stars again

Brown clearly enjoys playing Oklahoma State.

After scoring a career-high 38 points in the Wildcats’ 86-82 victory over the Cowboys earlier this season, the Kansas State guard finished with a game-high 25 points Wednesday.

Brown said the Wildcats were aware of OSU’s offensive and defensive game plans coming in, creating difficulties for the Cowboys on both ends of the floor.

“I just wanted to take what they gave me,” Brown said. “I thought it would’ve been a little tougher (than last time), honestly. I knew they were gonna try and game plan for me a little bit.”

Brown made 16 freethrow attempts in the Wildcats’ previous victory. He added 14 more Wednesday, making 12 of them.

“He got a lot of really good looks last time,” Boynton said. “He got to the free-throw line a ton. We cut down on the good looks. He still got a few, but he still got to the free-throw line.

“Did a better job but not near enough to overcome our deficiencies on the offensive end.”

Shine feeling healthy

If Waters is unable to go in Saturday’s game against TCU, the Cowboys will have a replacement ready to go.

Tavarius Shine played for a second straight game after missing four games with a broken left wrist. In 26 minutes, Shine scored eight points and made two of OSU’s six 3-pointers.

“I feel pretty good,” Shine said. “I don’t have any pain.”

Shine, one of OSU’s most versatile players on both ends of the floor, played 21 minutes in the Cowboys’ victory against West Virginia, scoring seven points with four rebounds.

Up next

The Cowboys will try to stretch their road winning streak to three Saturday when they face TCU in Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

The Horned Frogs beat OSU in GallagherIba Arena two weeks ago, winning 79-66 in a game where the Cowboys lacked energy. That defeat started OSU’s three-game home losing streak.

An 82-66 loss to West Virginia on Monday dropped the Horned Frogs to 5-8 in Big 12 play. After a 12-0 start to the season, TCU is 5-9.