Late Push From Virginia Tech Snaps Cowboys' Win Streak

Gerald Goodridge, News9.com

STILLWATER, Oklahoma -- The Oklahoma State Cowboys took the lead several times in the closing minutes of the game, but were unable to hold off the Hokies late, falling 67-61 to Virginia Tech, snapping OSU's 37-game non-conference home win streak.

Oklahoma State came out in the second half trailing by just five points, thanks to a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Keaton Page, and quickly moved to take the lead. Jean-Paul Olukemi converted on a three-point play to cut the deficit to one-possession, but Dorenzo Hudson's layup pushed Virginia Tech's lead back to four points.

Brian Williams responded with a jumper of his own to pull the Cowboys to a 30-28 deficit, and Keiton Page knocked one down from behind the arc just 30 seconds later to give OSU its first lead of the day. Freshman Le'Bryan Nash hit on a pair of free throws 90 seconds later to take a 33-28 lead.

Erick Green hit a three-ball of his own on the Hokies' next possession to tie the game, but Phillip Jurick knocked down back-to-back shots to give the Cowboys a 37-33 advantage five minutes into the half.

Green knocked down another jumper to cut the Cowboys' lead in half, but Page then made himself even more known to add to the Cowboys advantage. The senior point guard hit a three-pointer, a long jumper and set up a Brian Williams dunk to put Oklahoma State up 44-37 two minutes later.

But that's when the wheels fell off for the Cowboys.

Virginia Tech snapped off eight unanswered points, part of a larger 19-3 run – OSU's only points coming from a Page three-pointer – to take a 56-47 lead with just six minutes to play, pushing the lead to an even 10 points with exactly five minutes left to play.

Oklahoma State battled back and tied the game thanks to five unanswered scoring possessions, sparked by a quick five from Cezar Guerrero and capped by a three-ball from Williams, to draw even at 61-61 with two minutes left to play.

The Cowboys' then resorted to fouling in order to extend the game, but the Hokies converted on their chances while OSU did not, closing the non-conference schedule for OSU with a loss.

Page finished with a game-high 21 points, including 15 from behind the arc, while dishing out three assists and coming up with two steals. Williams was the only other Cowboy player to break double figures, finishing with 14 points and four rebounds.

Hudson set the pace for Virginia Tech, scoring 18 and grabbing five boards, with Green turning in 16 points, seven boards and three assists with the loss.

Oklahoma State will now take four days off before opening conference play at 7 p.m. at home against Texas Tech.