Instacap: Oklahoma State Stuns No. 19 West Virginia in 88-85 Upset

Oklahoma State, which has been competitive throughout most of the Big 12 slate despite seven league losses, reversed its trend of fading in the final frame on Saturday. The Cowboys overcame an 8-point deficit in the second half and stunned No. 19 West Virginia, 88-85, to capture its second consecutive win in Morgantown.

Kendall Smith and Crime Dog Cameron McGriff — equipped with a fresh pair of stunner goggles — led the way for OSU with 20 points each on a combined 10 of 19 shooting, including a perfect 13-for-13 performance from the charity stripe from McGriff. Crime Dog scored 12 straight points in the first half before cooling off in the second.

Jeffrey Carroll added 14 points and nailed three triples to pace the Pokes from beyond the arc. Mitch Solomon added 10 points and Tavarius Shine, who returned to the court after an injury hiatus, scored 7 points and played 21 minutes.

In the first matchup between Oklahoma State and West Virginia, the Cowboys struggled mightily with turnovers and surrendered way too many fast-break points. However in round two, Oklahoma State turned it over only 13 times — eight less than the first meeting — and gave up only 16 points off turnovers.

OSU overcame a 52 percent shooting day from the Mountaineers by doubling them up on 3-pointers. OSU was 10 for 24. WVU was 5 for 16.

Incredibly, OSU overcame a borderline career day from Jevon Carter. After a bucket by him put WVU up 78-72 with 3:10 left, OSU went wild. They hit six of their next eight shots (including 4 of 5 from 3-point range) and outscored WVU 16-7 the rest of the way for the 3-point victory.

Carter ended with 33 points, but after the Lindy Waters hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 14 seconds remaining, Carter’s 3-point attempt in the waning seconds fell short and sent OSU packing with a W in hand.

Lindy Waters buries WVU late. What an ending in Morgantown. pic.twitter.com/Bk0NrvRBfK

— Pistols Firing (@pistolsguys) February 10, 2018

In a game that featured 14 ties and 14 lead changes, OSU’s performance at the free throw line may have been the difference. The Pokes made 30 (!) of their 36 (!) free throws on the day.

The win moves Oklahoma State to 5-7 in Big 12 play, while West Virginia drops to 7-5 with just six games remaining for both teams in the regular season.