The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Oklahoma State
UAB Falls to Oklahoma St., 86-73
12/11/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 11, 2004
Box Score | Box Score in PDF Format
By JEFF LATZKE
Associated Press Writer
STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) - John Lucas III scored nine of his 18 points in a 14-0 second-half run to lead fifth-ranked Oklahoma State to an 86-73 victory Friday night over UAB.
Joey Graham had 20 points for the Cowboys.
Donell Taylor scored 17 points for the Blazers (4-1), who controlled the tempo for much of the game with full-court pressure that forced the Cowboys to take quick and often ill-advised shots. But the Oklahoma State did well when it was patient and scored 16 points off fast-break chances.
Taylor's twin brother, Ronell, scored five straight points to pull the Blazers within 46-40 early in the second half. But Lucas' 3-pointer from the left wing sparked the key run and the Cowboys were up by 20 points with 15 minutes left.
Lucas had a second 3-point basket and capped the surge with a three-point play.
UAB responded with eight straight points - all from the free-throw line - but also missed four free throws in a matter of two minutes to keep from drawing closer. Oklahoma State's lead was never in jeopardy thereafter.
Graham scored six consecutive points during an 8-0 Oklahoma State run to a 77-58 edge with 6:24 to play.
Daniel Bobik scored 14 points, JamesOn Curry added 10 and Ivan McFarlin 10 to go with 12 rebounds for the Cowboys. Marques Lewis and Richard Jones added 11 points each for UAB.
The Cowboys shot 52 percent and overcame 21 turnovers by holding the Blazers to only 35 percent.
Oklahoma State pulled ahead 16-8 with a 7-0 run six minutes into the first half as Lucas sat on the bench with two early fouls. Curry started the run with a 3-pointer from the left corner, and Bobik highlighted it with a steal and right-handed jam over Donell Taylor on the next trip down the floor.
The Blazers charged back and took a 22-20 lead after Donell Taylor sank two free throws with 6:05 left in the half.
But Oklahoma State went on a 10-0 run. Bobik's deep 3-pointer made it 34-24 with just under two minutes remaining in the half and he hit another trey to keep the Cowboys' lead at the break at 10.
