STILLWATER, Okla. – The Ouachita Tiger men's basketball team fell to Oklahoma State this afternoon 80-59 in exhibition action.

"This was a tremendous opportunity and experience for our team to play against a Big XII opponent like Oklahoma State University." Ouachita head basketball coach Dennis Nutt responded, "Coach Mike Boynton and I worked together at Coastal Carolina and I admire the job he's doing here in Stillwater. I appreciate his friendship over the years." 

"Personally, it means a lot to me to come back." Nutt replied, "My mom and dad graduated from Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State) in the mid-50's and my dad played for the legendary, coach Hank Iba."

This afternoon's game is the second of three exhibition games the Tigers have scheduled this season. On Thursday evening, Ouachita defeated Philander Smith 90-70; however, today was a different story facing Big-12 and Power-5 opponent in Oklahoma Baptist. One aspect of the game the Tigers can hang their hat on is they held the Cowboys under 50 percent shooting on the night.

The Tigers got off to a slow start in the first half, Kyle Wright (Newark, NJ) scored Ouachita's first points of the game at the 15-minute mark of the half. Matt Stanley (Cabot, Ark.) sank a jumper a few moments later and freshman Jacob Street (Nacogdoches, Texas) converted a free throw attempt going into the second media timeout. The quick offensive spurt, coupled with a few Oklahoma State turnovers had the Tigers in reach of the Cowboys trailing 15-6.

At the 10:31 mark of the half, Morris Talbert (North Little Rock, Ark.) took a pass from Mahlon Martin (Little Rock, Ark.) and rolled in the fingertip layup. The score put the Tigers within seven points of the Cowboys a margin they would not get near the rest of the game.

Oklahoma State went on a bit of an offensive run as Ouachita went into a scoring drought. With 2:06, remaining in the half Ouachita faced their largest deficit at 35-17. The Tigers went into the halftime break down 39-24.

In the second half Oklahoma State began to break away from Ouachita. The Cowboys at one point held a 25-point advantage over the Tigers. There were some positives for the Tigers in this game though. For one three Tigers scored in double-figures, Stanley led the team with an 18-point and seven rebound performance. Eric Brown (Greenville, Miss.) contributed 11-points and Grant Jones added 10-points in just nine minutes of action. Ouachita shot 39 percent from the field and 56 percent from the free throw line.

Isaac Likekele led the Oklahoma State offense with 18-points, Cameron McGriff added 15-points and 10 rebounds to the mix. Lindy Waters III contributed 15-points and Maurice Calloo produced an additional 12-points.

Ouachita will host their regular season home opener this Friday evening at 7 p.m. The Tigers will face off against Central Baptist inside Bill Vining Arena. For more information on the Ouachita men's basketball program stay tuned to obutigers.com.