Monday, December 14, 2020
Nothing went the way it was supposed to for Oklahoma State this season, but it ended on a positive note with a big 42-3 win over Baylor. From injuries and disappointing losses, what was supposed to be a dream season for the Cowboys turned into a three loss season and no spot in the Big 12 Championship, but with the win on Saturday the Cowboys are riding high into bowl season. “Obviously our defense was fantastic in the game,” coach Mike Gundy said. “Offensively we made some big plays. It’s kind of like the way we used to play. There were times where we were average, I think we had three or four series where we weren’t very good, but we still hit big plays. I was excited about that.” With running back Chuba Hubbard opting out of the season and his backup LD Brown still out with an injury, the running game had remained in the hands of Dezmon Jackson. But on Saturday true freshman Dominic Richardson made his mark on the game handling the majority of the workload. Both Jackson and Richardson have multiple years of eligibility left, which shows the future of the backfield is bright–– and the coaching staff sees it, too. “We’ve got Richardson for five more years and we have Dez for I think three,” Gundy said. “So I’m excited about the direction we’re going with those guys, maybe we can get some lineman back here and keep some of those guys healthy. We hold our breath on the offensive line every game so I’m excited about those guys and what they bring to the table for the next three or four or five years.”
Jerry Larson Oklahoma State running back Dominic Richardson (20) scores a touchdown past Baylor safety Chris-
Cade Cunningham hadn’t hit a shot in the second half, but it didn’t matter. It was his shot to take. On the left wing, Cunningham crossed right then left then back again. He hesitated before pulling the ball back and elevating with a hand in his face. Hit. Cunningham’s last-second heroics put the Oklahoma State basketball team ahead by three as the Cowboys closed out a 67-64 road victory against Wichita State. “I knew I was gonna take the last shot,” Cunningham said. “I don’t know what coach (Boynton) thought. I just knew (to) come down and score. I had full confidence shooting the shot.” OSU coach Mike Boynton nearly decided against a timeout before the Cowboys’ final possession. He spaced the floor and let his star go to work. Cunningham started the game 0-for-6 from the field before finding a bit of a rhythm towards the end of the first half. In the second,
he didn’t attempt a field goal until there was only 1:26 left in the game. Wichita State’s Dexter Dennis, a player who prides himself on defense, drew Cunningham’s primary assignment for most of the game, but he had help. “This is gonna happen a lot, but the game plan was to stop him,” Boynton said. “They were sending a second and third defender every time he tried to dribble
penetrate. What he’s gonna do is make the right play. “Is he still the guy late in the game that has the ball in his hands? Absolutely.” Cunningham still had a clear impact on the game without his usual scoring output, as evidenced by him finishing plus-14 for the contest, by far the highest mark of anyone on the roster. When teams all-out commit to stopping him, that creates opportunities
for other players to score. Junior Isaac Likekele finished with 14 points, making a number of timely buckets. Likekele also was huge for the Cowboys on the glass, hauling in five offensive rebounds. Rondel Walker continues to impress as a freshman, attacking closeouts and carving into the lane and to the rim seemingly at will. Cunningham said he wasn’t focused on his lack of shots,
Kouma had three fouls and a turnover, not exactly impressive numbers. He was also out of position on a number of defensive rotations, yet Boynton was happy with the little things Kouma did to make an impact. “(Kouma’s) stat line will tell you I’m an idiot,” Boynton said. “But his 12 minutes were invaluable. He gets guys open. He’s a big man as a screener. He did a really good job of setting the tone for us physically inside.” OSU once again showcased its depth against the Shockers, and it was needed with Cunningham’s scoring struggles. But no matter his performance, he just wanted to Cunningham’s confimake the right deci- dence never drops. sion. “I’ve put in so “I just shot the much work,” Cunshots that they gave ningham said. “I’ve me,” Cunningham spent so much time said. “They helped in the gym. I’ve got (on defense) a lot and up so many shots my teammates were that if a couple don’t open. I have a ton go through I’m not of trust in my team- too worried about mates. I know they’re it. Shooting the next gonna make shots.” ball with confidence Mike Boynton is the best thing you made a change in can do and that’s the starting lineup, what I did.” switching out sophomore big man Kalib Boone in exchange for Bernard Kouma. sports.ed@ocolly.com