Cowboys Lose First 2019 Bedlam

Bedlam is usually physical.

The first 2019 edition was no different, for Oklahoma and Oklahoma State combined for 45 fouls.

Foul trouble had a big impact and the Cowboys’ young bench performed well overall, but couldn’t outplay the Sooner starters.

OU used a late first-half run that continued into the second half to knock off OSU 74-64 from the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman on Saturday afternoon.

The Sooners’ late run in the first half came when one of OSU’s leaders and arguably its best defender, Lindy Waters, III was on the bench. Waters had three fouls in the first half.

Along with Waters first-half foul trouble, five other Cowboys finished the half with two fouls.

OSU (6-8 overall, 0-2 in Big 12) had separate runs of 7-0 and 8-0 following well-timed timeouts from coach Mike Boynton, but OU responded with a 7-0 run of its own. The Sooners hit five of their last six shots.

The Cowboys bench outscored the Sooners 24-13, including a solid Bedlam debut for Maurice Calloo, who went 3-of-7 for 8 points.

Michael Weathers also had a nice day off the bench, for he scored 13. He made 7-of-10 free throws and added 7 rebounds and 6 assists.

Neither team shot well through the first half, for both shot below 30 percent from the field. OU had a 6-point lead at halftime; it made 17 free throws to OSU’s 10.

The Sooners (12-2, 1-1) continued to get to the line after the break; OU finished 25-of-36 from the line.

Thomas Dziagwa had to play more minutes with fellow captains Waters and Cam McGriff off the court early because of fouls. Dziagwa was among the few bright spots for OSU, he shot 50 percent from the field and made 4 three-pointers. He finished with 16.