Cowboys Beat Kangaroos in Final Non-Conference Game Before Conference Play

The Cowboys outlasted the Kangaroos on Tuesday evening, 61-43, in what turned out to be a very empty home contest in GIA – the final before conference play begins on Saturday.

The #okstate crowd just before tip off. Holy moly. pic.twitter.com/OMvM2z3jvG

— Tara Zaloudek (@tarasuez) December 30, 2015

It was tough sledding in the first half offensively, as the Pokes mustered just 26 points to take an 8-point lead into the break.

Fortunately, the Pokes were able to rely on their defense in the first half and used their efforts to produce points on the other end. The defense forced seven turnovers in the first half, and held the Kangaroos to 24% shooting in the first half; 30% on the game.

“For a team that was trying to find our identity and figure out its roles, and I thought we had done it, it had me concerned. We weren’t the sharpest, it was a little sloppy. We did some good things, we did some negative things,” head coach Travis Ford said after the game.

Despite missing both Mitch Solomon (ankle) and Davon Dillard (suspension), they were able to get excellent production from Jeff Newberry and Jawun Evans – who have continued to develop into consistent scoring options behind Hammonds, who was a virtual no show offensively.

Hammonds finished the day with just five points and was a valuable cog on the defensive side of the ball. With Big 12 play looming, however, Hammonds will need to deliver more consistently as a scoring threat entering conference play.

Travis Ford knows offense may be hard to come by, and admitted as much after the game. “There are no superstars. We are the definition of ‘everybody’s going to have to chip in, everybody’s going to have to do their part.’ You see that tonight. We had scoring from just about everybody and we’re going to need that.”

Up to this point, Hammonds has shown the most promise, but his consistency is concerning. It’s going to take a concerted effort from everyone offensively, and fortunately it was enough on Tuesday to lead the Cowboys to their eighth win on the season.

The Cowboys face TCU on Saturday in the first conference game of the season.