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Pokes find their groove
OSU has rough start, but handles Savannah State.

OSU guard Byron Eaton drives the lane past Savannah State's Chris Linton during their game Tuesday night in Stillwater. CORY YOUNG/Tulsa World
 
By LYNN JACOBSEN World sports writer
Published: 1/7/2009  2:20 AM
Last Modified: 1/7/2009  2:26 AM

 STILLWATER — As his teammates struggled offensively, James Anderson provided the first-half spark Oklahoma State needed to keep a pesky Savannah State team at bay.

The sophomore guard finished with a team-high 23 points, hitting two crucial 3-pointers midway through the second half to allow the Cowboys to pull away for an 83-56 victory Tuesday night in front of 4,405 fans at Gallagher-Iba Arena.

"They were two big shots that we needed at the time," Anderson said. "We got stops on the other end and that kind of pumped our team up and got us going."

Teammates Obi Muonelo and Byron Eaton saw their shots start to fall in the second half and finished the game with 17 and 16 points each.

Muonelo followed Anderson's 3s with a pair of his own and the rout was on as the Cowboys used a 35-14 spurt to put the Tigers in a hole they couldn't overcome.

"I'm glad to get that game over with," OSU coach Travis Ford said.

"It obviously wasn't our best effort. We didn't execute well but we went on enough little spurts to spread the game open a little bit . . .

"Obviously, we can't play like that and expect to succeed from this point on."

Ford was pleased with Anderson, as well as Marshall Moses, who came off the bench in the second half.

"Marshall played well down the stretch," he said. "He gave us some good energy. James hit those back-to-back 3s after they had cut it to 11. He took it to the hole and did some things. We were getting some shots, we just couldn't get them to fall."

The first-year OSU coach said he didn't think the game was a big step backward with Big 12 play looming.

"No, I don't think that," he said. "We've been playing fairly well. It was just one of those games."

Savannah State (7-8) was led by Chris Linton with 16, Rashad Hassan with 12 and Raye Bailey with 11.

Leading 38-26 at intermission, OSU (11-3) opened the second half on a 10-4 run to open up a 48-30 cushion.

But the Tigers chipped away until Anderson's 3-pointer at 13:31. That shot opened the flood gates as OSU hit five more long-range baskets late.

OSU was outrebounded again for the second straight game as Savannah State held a 39-31 edge. Muonelo led the Cowboys with nine, followed by Anderson with seven.

Oklahoma State continues to improve at the free-throw line, hitting 20-of-25 in Tuesday's win. Six of Eaton's 16 points came on free throws. Terrel Harris was 4-for-4 and Keiton Page was 3-of-3.

Ford thinks the Pokes are prepared as they embark on their first season in the Big 12 under his care.

"I think we're ready," he said.

"We're excited about it. I think we're ready, you never know for sure until you start up and get it going. The warm-up is over with and the real deal starts now. Hopefully this place will be sold out because we're going to need it to be better."



Lynn Jacobsen 581-8461
lynn.jacobsen@tulsaworld.com
By LYNN JACOBSEN World sports writer

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COMMENTS 
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9 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Report Comment
Hard Harry, broken arrow (1/7/2009 8:56:09 AM)
jsj you're hilarious. SOS is still 47 even with Savannah State on the schedule.
Report Comment
ThatGuyWho, Tulsa (1/7/2009 2:08:08 PM)
Are you questioning OSU's noncon schedule??

What an idiot!

I wish we'd had a few more Devrys on the schedule..
Report Comment
AC Poke Fan, Tulsa (1/7/2009 2:47:23 PM)
Doubt jsj was even at the game. They were a formidable opponent. Very good prep for Big12 play.
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (1/7/2009 2:50:59 PM)
I can't wait for Basketball, BUT first we have to go play more football.

BOOMER SOONER!!
Report Comment
Dave in Houston, Houston (1/7/2009 3:16:48 PM)
Arbythree said, "I can't wait for Basketball, BUT first we have to go play more football.
------------------------------------

Then get the heck off this page.
Report Comment
Stogdiddy, Broken Arrow (1/7/2009 4:49:56 PM)
"Can't wait for basketball..." says Arbythree! No need to wait for basketball because the school you claim, along with every other D-1 University, has been playing basketball for two months now (and they have other athletics there too), but you wouldn't know that because your life consists of attachment to a public universities football team, followed by trolling an opposing schools newspaper articles to spew your ignorance. Congratulations!
Report Comment
Dave in Houston, Houston (1/8/2009 7:58:20 AM)
Most people who are losers in their life situations will attach themselves to a winning situation. That's why you see dOUchebag fans that can't find Norman on a map! Sound familiar "Arbythree"?
Report Comment
Dr. Strangelove, Tulsa (1/8/2009 8:00:11 AM)
jsj- that's hilarious and I say that as a Poke fan
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (1/8/2009 2:35:55 PM)
Dave in Houston....You are such the aggie! You have "Dave in Houston" then you felt you had to have "Houston" on your Profile too.

Geez, Happy you are in Texas.
 

 
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