New energy benefits Cowboys
Oklahoma State played with more energy during its upset win against seventh-ranked Kansas on Saturday.
LAWRENCE, KAN. — After Oklahoma State’s biggest win of the season, after the Cowboys finally broke through on the road, after sophomore Cam McGriff’s career high in minutes led to a career day, a reporter asked whether he was tired.
“I’m fine,” McGriff said, a smile stretching across his face.
He had all the reason to be. On Tuesday, McGriff delivered a pregame message to his teammates about a need for energy, a need that became apparent in a listless loss to TCU. Come Saturday, when OSU downed seventh-ranked Kansas in Allen Fieldhouse, the Cowboys had life. McGriff scored a career-high 20 points with nine rebounds in the upset.
After a day off Wednesday, coach Mike Boynton gathered his players during Thursday’s practice. He told them he wasn’t concerned, confident they would properly grow from Tuesday’s dud. Two days after his message, the Cowboys won in Allen Fieldhouse, something only five other visiting teams have done in the past six seasons.
“We just stayed consistent in what we believed in, and that’s working hard and competing,” point guard Kendall Smith said Saturday. “Those two days of practice after we lost at home were good for us because we got to get after it. We got to compete. And we got to show that we really wanted it. We want to be a good team, and it showed.”
McGriff and Jeffrey Carroll both played the entirety of the second half, each finishing with 38 minutes. Smith and Lindy Waters put in performances of 30-plus minutes, as well. The foursome combined for 70 of OSU’s 84 points, carrying the Cowboys to a lead that held for Saturday’s final 37 minutes and 12 seconds.
OSU entered with an 0-5 road record, having led at halftime in the past four losses. Second halves have been problematic no matter the venue, with Tuesday’s flat second half against the Horned Frogs an example.
On Saturday, the Cowboys put together a complete 40-minute performance on the road for the first time.
“Really proud of my kids for showing the type of fight and competitive spirit they did today for 40 minutes,” Boynton said Saturday. “Got a locker room full of guys who always respond. We’ve been through a lot. … Our kids have been resilient through it all, so I’m really proud of them and happy for them to come out here and play the way they did.”
OSU will try to carry momentum into this upcoming week. The Cowboys host Baylor on Tuesday before visiting West Virginia on Saturday. With a 4-6 conference record, OSU is within reach of an NCAA Tournament-worthy finish.
They now know the formula. The Cowboys played with the proper energy Saturday, and it paid off.
“We knew coming in that Allen Fieldhouse was really tough,” Smith said. “Give credit to all of the guys and the coaching staff that prepared us. We came in here with the right mindset, and we came out with a victory.”