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February 14, 2009

OSU snaps two-game streak

STILLWATER (AP) — Slow starts have been a problem for Oklahoma State in head coach Travis Ford’s first season.

Entering Saturday’s game against Iowa State, the Cowboys had trailed at halftime by at least 12 points in four straight games and hadn’t led at the break since Jan. 24 at Nebraska. It happened again against the Cyclones, but Oklahoma State rallied behind 27 points from James Anderson and 21 from Terrel Harris, snapping a two-game losing streak with an 86-67 win.

“I’m proud of the energy level and the attitude our guys played with,” Ford said. “We made a commitment Thursday and we hope our guys continue to believe in it.

“We’re going to quit making excuses.”

Coming off a career-high 35-point outing in a loss at Texas on Tuesday, Anderson went 8-of-18 from the field, including 5-of-12 from 3-point range as Oklahoma State (15-9, 4-6 Big 12 Conference) finished 11-of-30 from behind the arc. Harris hit 4-of-8 from 3-point range.

Anderson also pulled down 10 rebounds for his first career-double-double as the Cowboys outrebounded Iowa State 37-27.

Craig Brackins led Iowa State (13-12, 2-8) with 27 points and added nine rebounds. Lucca Staiger added 14 points and Diante Garrett scored 12. It was the Cyclones’ 13th consecutive Big 12 road loss and 15th straight loss in Stillwater.

Byron Eaton added 16 points for Oklahoma State, which committed only eight turnovers.

“It was getting to the point in the season when we need to quit losing,” Harris said. “This is the time that teams usually peak. We came to that crossroad and instead of us going backward we need to go forward.”

After falling behind early by 10 points, the Cowboys didn’t take their first lead until six minutes remained in the first half. But a 12-0 run to start the second half put Oklahoma State up 48-34.

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