OSU Cowboys displayed resilience in a 72-63 loss to 5th-ranked Houston, raising hopes for improvement ahead of tournaments.

Oklahoma State: The Cowboys missed an opportunity for a marquee win after jumping to an 18-9 lead and opening the game shooting 8 of 10 from the field. Oklahoma State had issues with Houston’s defensive pressure and couldn’t stop the Cougars on the boards.

The Cougars come into this game fresh off their first Big 12 loss, an 82-81 overtime affair with Texas Tech. AT 17-4 and 9-1 in the Big 12, Houston is at the top of the conference, a very different situation than Oklahoma State finds itself in. The Cowboys are 11-10 and 3-7 in the Big 12 but coming in off a 9-point victory over Utah.