Five Thoughts on Oklahoma State’s 83-70 Loss to UCF

The Cowboys will finish the year without a road win in conference play.

Oklahoma State lost to UCF 83-70 on Wednesday night in Orlando it was was the Pokes’ final chance this season to break that streak. Here are five thoughts on the game.

1. And then Darius Johnson Went Off

Darius Johnson had quite the senior night at the Cowboys’ expense.

This game was close, and then UCF senior Darius Johnson looked like Randy Rutherford in Alan Fieldhouse circa 1995. Johnson scored 27 of his career-high 36 points in the second half, going 5-for-8 from 3 in the final 20 minutes.

OSU had a 47-37 lead about two minutes into the second half, but from that point on, Johnson outscored the Cowboys by himself 25-23.

2. Newman, Keller Try to Make Up for Thompson’s Off Night

Bryce Thompson had two fouls less than three minutes into the game. I wrote last week about how OSU has the lowest two-foul participation in the country, and the trend didn’t go the other way Wednesday. Thompson went to the bench and didn’t play for the rest of the half.

He finished with four points in 14 minutes on the floor. It was his lowest point total this calendar year.

But two Cowboys who haven’t been as active in terms of scoring tried to make up for it. Brandon Newman and Jamyron Keller combined to score 24 points (13 for Newman and 11 for Keller).

It was just the third time this season Newman and Keller scored in double figures in the same game (Arizona State and Seton Hall). Both are capable 3-point shooters but neither have been consistent from range this season. The two were 6-for-10 from 3 on Wednesday while the rest of the team was 1-for-15.

3. Stat That Doesn’t Make Sense: Points Off Turnovers

Turnovers and the points they provide often paint a pretty good picture of a game, but not here.

OSU turned the ball over just nine times Wednesday, as this marks just the second time this season the Cowboys lost a game while turning the ball over single-digit times. Meanwhile, the Pokes forced UCF into 19 giveaways, as this is the first time OSU has forced at least 19 turnovers in a game and still lost.

What makes even less sense is that OSU won the points-off-turnovers battle 25-3 and lost the game.

4. The Stat That Did Matter: Rebounding

The first place UCF made up that turnover difference was the fact that Johnson went unconscious. The other was the work the Knights did on the glass.

UCF outrebounded the Cowboys 50-26. It’s the most rebounds OSU has given up all season. It was a team effort, too, as six Knights had at least five boards.

The Knights ripped down 15 offensive boards, turning those into 15 second-chance points.

5. More Good Minutes from Arturo Dean

If you’ve punted this basketball season and are looking for some hope heading into Lutz Year 2, look no further than Arturo Dean’s ability to fill a stat sheet.

A junior, Dean had 12 points, six rebounds, seven assists and four steals in Orlando. He is the Cowboys’ engine.

Dean has had multiple steals in 17 games this year and at least four in seven. He seems to be getting more and more comfortable around the basket, too. He had a nice take late in the first half, where he kissed a ball high off the glass over 7-foot-2 Moustapha Thiam.

‘Turo with the touch off the glass 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/qcYdbY9CGt

— OSU Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) March 6, 2025

The next step for Dean’s offensive game will be finding consistency from 3. He’s shooting 29% from deep this season, which isn’t ideal, but it’s not an uncomfortable shot for him. There’s growth to be had there. Hitting more 3s could also open up his drives more, as teams will have to close out harder on him.

Regardless, he’s been the most fun Cowboy to watch this season because of how hard he plays. Hopefully that hustle comes in more meaningful games soon.