OSU basketball notebook: Hot in Lubbock
BY KELLY HINES World Sports Writer
Thursday, February 14, 2013
2/14/13 at 6:41 AM
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For a second straight year, Markel Brown delivered a big performance at Texas Tech.
Last season, he scored 30 points in OSU's only conference road win. On Wednesday, he hit five straight 3-pointers and finished with 25 first-half points.
"I think it's the ball," Brown said. "They switched the ball up last year and I like the feel of the ball."
Brown might be onto something. Texas Tech changed its basketballs from Adidas to Under Armour last year.
"Other than that, it's my teammates finding me in open spots," he said. "I'm running in transition, guys are looking up finding me. And I'm just shooting it with confidence."
For Brown, it was the second time in four games to hit seven 3-pointers. He also had five straight treys against Kansas on Feb. 2.
"He played the game of his life in the first half," said Texas Tech coach Chris Walker.
Resting up: In the second half, Brown played seven minutes after halftime and star point guard Marcus Smart only two.
Did the rest have anything to do with a looming Bedlam matchup?
"I really didn't think about that," coach Travis Ford said. "I wanted these other guys to play because they work so hard in practice every day and it's good to give them an opportunity to get out there and play a little bit.
"Rest never hurts this time of year, either. You want guys to be able to continue to play, but it was more about getting some guys who deserve to play the opportunity to play."
In 18 minutes of action, Smart had 10 points, three rebounds and three assists, a block and a steal. With that steal, he now has more (68) than any other freshman in school history. The previous leader was Byron Eaton.
Stat check: OSU set season-highs in 3-pointers made (12), points in a first half (55) and 3-point field goal percentage (60 percent).
The 91 points tied a season-high. The Cowboys also scored 91 against Central Arkansas.
Up next: OSU hosts Oklahoma (16-7, 7-4 Big 12) at 12:45 p.m. Saturday.
