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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) -- In their first game since being upset at
Texas A&M, Desmond Mason and Oklahoma State showed no signs
of a similar letdown against Kansas State.
Mason had 23 points and 10 rebounds as th Cowboys (No. 16 ESPN/USA Today, No. 15 AP) beat the Wildcats 71-56 Wednesday night to move into a four-way tie for first place in the Big 12.
"This league race is going to be a dog fight," Oklahoma State coach Eddie Sutton said. "Anybody can beat anybody in this league. That why this win was so important."
Sutton touched on the A&M loss on Wednesday, Mason said.
"Coach told us after the game that all the teams around the
country beat the big name teams," he said. "He talked about the
teams that slip up and lose a game like we lost to A&M. We needed
to come back and play hard. I think we've done that."
Mason had four 3-pointers as the Cowboys (15-2, 4-1) won their fourth straight over Kansas State, which had its losing streak
extended to five games, its longest since 1997.
"Desmond's a great player," Oklahoma State guard Doug Gottlieb said. "He gives it almost every night. ... He's pretty much there no matter what happens."
The Wildcats (8-9, 1-5), who trailed by 12 points at halftime, used a 13-3 run to get within seven points with 10:48 left. But Joe Adkins hit a 3-pointer to put the Cowboys' lead back in double figures and end the Wildcats' rally.
"I'm not happy," Kansas State coach Tom Asbury said. "Who would be after losing five games in a row? I'm frustrated about
losing. But you have to remember we haven't had the easiest
schedule in the Big 12 so far."
Oklahoma State, which leads the conference with a 19.1-point average margin of victory, held the Wildcats to 42 percent
shooting.
"I think the overall thing is that we played really good
defense," Mason said. "We hustled and kept Tony Kitt off the
boards. That's what got the win."
Galen Morrison paced the Wildcats with 21 points, while Brian Montonati had 14 points and nine rebounds for the Cowboys.
Oklahoma State took a seven-point lead with 11:36 to go in the first half before Morrison scored seven consecutive points in an
11-4 run by the Wildcats. Morrison's two free throws with 6:31
remaining gave the Wildcats a 21-20 lead, their first since the
opening basket.
The Cowboys answered with an 18-5 run to take a 38-26 halftime lead.
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ALSO SEE
Mens College Basketball Scoreboard
Oklahoma State Clubhouse
Kansas State Clubhouse
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