Recap: Cowboys Dominate Ole Miss in Big 12-SEC Challenge

STILLWATER — After a tough night in Austin midweek, the Cowboys controlled their Big 12-SEC Challenge foe for a full 40 minutes.

Oklahoma State beat up on Ole Miss on Saturday night in Gallagher-Iba Arena, beating the Rebels 82-60. After already leading by double figures at the break, the Cowboys went on a 9-0 run early in the second half to put Ole Miss to bed early.

Four Cowboys scored in double figures, led by Kalib Boone with 18. Boone finished the game 6-for-6 from the field and 6-for-8 from the line. Avery Anderson (17), Woody Newton (12) and John-Michael Wright (10) joined Boone in double figures.

Ole Miss tried to make things interesting with an 8-0 run midway through second half, but the hole was already too deep. The Rebels never got to within single digits in the final 19 minutes of the game.

Moussa Cisse returned for the Cowboys after missing their loss to Texas and bing in and out of the lineup the past month. He looked as healthy as he has been since suffering an ankle injury against West Virginia on Jan. 2. On Saturday, Cisse played seven minutes, scoring one points, grabbing four boards and having a patented swat.

The Cowboys took a 38-27 lead into halftime thanks to 12 points from Newton. Usually a floor spacer, Newton did most of his first-half work making basket cuts, scoring eight points off layups and another from the foul line.

Getting the to basket was a theme for the Cowboys in the first half. OSU had 20 points in the paint at the break. Meanwhile the Pokes also defended their paint well, allowing Ole Miss only six points in the paint.

The only reason the game was semi close at the break Ole Miss’ hot 3-point shooting. The Rebels 5-for-12 from deep at the break, meaning 18 of their 27 points in the first half came from deep. It didn’t last; Ole Miss was 0-for-7 from 3 in the second half.

After a one-game break from the Big 12 mosh pit, Oklahoma State travels to Norman for an 8 p.m. tip against Oklahoma on Wednesday. The Sooners are on a three-game losing streak in the Big 12, but they absolutely walloped No. 2 Alabama 93-69 on Saturday.