BYU upset by Oklahoma State 99-92 for third straight loss – Deseret News

STILLWATER, Okla. — Make that three straight losses for BYU.

The Cougars faded late Wednesday night against Oklahoma State, being upset 99-92 by the Cowboys at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater.

BYU is now 17-5 on the season and 5-4 in Big 12 play.

3 takeaways

BYU’s furious first-half comeback was wasted in the second half. After trailing by as many as 15 points early, the Cougars went into halftime on a 17-4 run to knot the score at 41 points apiece.

For a moment, the effort appeared to be a potential turning point in BYU’s season and a major boost following two straight losses, but the Cougars couldn’t finish the fight.

Oklahoma State scored 58 second half points — averaging 1.57 points per possession — to bury BYU.

BYU has a defense problem. Simply put, Oklahoma State did whatever it wanted against the Cougars.

The Cowboys shot 54.7% from the field and averaged 1.32 points per possession, bullying BYU down low for 52 paint points.

While Oklahoma State made just 33.3% of its 3-pointers, Cowboys guard Anthony Roy drained five triples on his own as part of a 30-point outburst to lead the upset charge.

For the first time all season, the Cougars lost a game they were projected to win — and chose a rather poor time to do so. KenPom gave BYU a 69% chance of victory Wednesday night, only for the Cougars to lose by seven points.

BYU’s first four losses this year were understandable — the Cougars fell to No. 3 UConn in Boston, on the road against No. 15 Texas Tech and No. 14 Kansas as well as at home to No. 1 Arizona.

But Oklahoma State is unranked, and even after beating BYU, still under .500 in Big 12 play. The Cougars had defeated 22 consecutive unranked foes entering Wednesday, but the Cowboys just loudly put an end to such a streak.

BYU has now suffered three straight losses, with No. 8 Houston awaiting the Cougars next at the Marriott Center for yet another massive matchup.