KEY POINTS
- Kanye Clary scored 17 of his 20 total points in the second half to lead the Cowboys’ rally.
- Oklahoma State overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to secure an 84-80 victory at home.
- The win advances the Cowboys to the second round of the National Invitation Tournament.
Oklahoma State survived a major scare in the opening round of the National Invitation Tournament on Tuesday night. The Cowboys rallied from behind to defeat Davidson 84-80 at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Kanye Clary served as the primary catalyst for the comeback with a dominant second-half performance.
The game began with Davidson establishing control through highly efficient outside shooting. The Wildcats connected on nine three-pointers in the first 20 minutes of play. This offensive surge allowed the visitors to build a comfortable 50-40 lead by halftime.
Oklahoma State struggled to contain Davidson‘s perimeter threats during the opening period. Parker Friedrichsen and Roberts Blums led the scoring effort for the visiting team. Their accuracy from beyond the arc silenced the home crowd early in the contest.
However, the momentum shifted immediately following the intermission. Oklahoma State opened the second half with a decisive 11-2 scoring run to close the gap. Clary took over the offensive responsibilities by attacking the basket and hitting deep shots.
The guard finished the night with 20 points after finding his rhythm late in the game. His ability to draw fouls and convert at the free-throw line proved crucial down the stretch. Clary also received significant help from teammates Benjamin Ahmed and Christian Coleman.
Ahmed contributed 16 points and six rebounds while providing a steady presence in the interior. Coleman added 15 points of his own to help the Cowboys keep pace with the Wildcats. The game featured 10 lead changes as both teams battled for control in the final minutes.
A critical three-pointer by Daniel Guetta with under four minutes remaining gave the Cowboys a permanent lead. Davidson refused to go away and cut the deficit to just two points in the final seconds. Clary eventually sealed the victory by sinking two pressure-packed free throws.
The loss ends a productive season for the Davidson Wildcats who finish with a 20-14 record. Roberts Blums led all scorers in the match with an impressive 22-point effort. Despite the defeat, the Wildcats showed great resilience on the road against a high-major opponent.
Oklahoma State moves to 20-14 on the season and prepares for a second-round matchup. They will face third-seeded Wichita State in the next phase of the tournament. The coaching staff will likely focus on improving their perimeter defense before that encounter.
Advancing in the NIT provides the Cowboys with valuable postseason experience for their young roster. The victory keeps their hopes of a tournament title alive as they head deeper into March. Fans in Stillwater celebrated the hard-fought win as the team extended its campaign.
