Keylan Boone provides spark in upset of Tech

STILLWATER — Oklahoma State sophomore Keylan Boone had not played in nine days when he checked into the game late Monday night.

The Cowboys were floundering. Superstar Ca de Cunningham was stuck on the bench with four fouls and No. 18- ranked Texas Tech was in control with a ninepoint lead. And the unlikely hero emerged.

Boone hit a 3-pointer with 13:26 remaining in regulation for OSU's first points of the half — yes, the half — to kick off a wild comeback in the Cowboys' 74- 69 overtime upset of the Red Raiders inside Gallagher-Iba Arena.

The Cowboys went on a 15-0 run and flipped the script.

“Keylan's been dealing with not playing, it's hit him at times,” Keylan's twin brother, Kalib, said. “I was just so happy to see him. And just the energy and spark that he brought, it reminded me of last year's Keylan.”

OSU is firmly in sixth place now, moving to 8-6 in Big 12 play with four games remaining. Texas Tech is seventh at 6-7.

It was a huge start to the closing stretch for the Cowboys.

Key lanh adjust five points — his first since Jan. 23 against Baylor — but all were huge.

His 3-pointer changed the momentum. His two free shots with 14.9 seconds remaining in overtime sealed the game.

“He really, really sparked us,” OSU coach Mike Boynton said.

The fact that Boynton turned to Keylan in that moment was bold.

Keylan had not played in two of the past three games. When he last played on Feb. 13 against Kansas State, he played just 7 minutes. He doubled that Monday night.

“To hi s credit, he's probably had his five best practices of his career leading into this game,” Boynton said. “I always talk to the guys about the work wins, and it's hard to believe that when you don't see that opportunity in front of you.

“Tonight, he was needed and his number was called and he was ready. But the only way he was ready is because he prepared the right way and he was in the right mental space.”

OSU now faces Bedlam rival OU twice in three days, beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday in Norman.

Down the stretch

Boynton likes to use a fancy term for stamina: competitive stamina.

“It's really just about playing harder for longer,” Boynton said.

OSU is now 3-0 in overtime this year, including the sweep of Tech and a double-overtime thriller over Texas.

Stamina is a factor. But the Cowboys are also playing good defense.

Texas Tech made just 2 of 10 shots and had four turnovers in the extra time.

“That's the extra work, that's the late hours, early mornings,” Kalib Boone said.

Added Avery Anderson III: “We gotta fight through it all.”

Kalib had three rebounds in overtime along with two free shots. He finished with 18 points and seven rebounds. But when the game was tight, the Cowboys defense stepped up.

With less than 90 seconds remaining, I saac Likekele turned the ball over, l eading t o what appeared to be a breakaway layup for Avery Benson. Instead, Anderson got back and blocked the layup to Keylan, who also blocked the shot out of bounds.