Dove, Cowboys Soar In Exhibition Win

STILLWATER – Sean Sutton found out Friday night what the Oklahoma State basketball team needs to begin working on with the season set to begin in seven days. OSU's head coach believes execution in the half-court offense, cutting down on turnovers and shooting the ball can all be improved. Don’t tell that to Panhandle State, which suffered a 91-54 loss to the Cowboys in Friday's exhibition game.

Marcus Dove backed up what Sutton had been saying about him being one of the best players in practice for the past three weeks. The 6-9 senior led the Cowboys with 18 points, nine rebounds, four steals and two blocked shots. He was joined in double figures by Obi Muonelo (17 points), James Anderson (15) and Martavius Adams (12).

“It was about like I thought. We did some good things and did some things that we didn’t do very well,” Sutton said. “I thought our young players actually played pretty well. I was proud of them. Some of our older guys did not play like they’ve been playing in practice, and it showed in some of the turnovers and some of the poor shots.

"But I was really pleased with their effort. I thought they played hard, (and) they were good at the defensive end for the most part in terms of effort and stance.”

Dove was outstanding from start to finish, especially in the first half in leading the Cowboys to a 59-24 halftime lead. In 14 minutes of action in the first half, he had 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocked shots and an assist. He finished the game by hitting 7-of-11 shots from the field, including 3-of-5 treys.

“That’s one of the things he can do for us this year. He really worked hard this summer on his offensive game, but I don’t think it’s going to change his mindset on the defensive end. He still prides himself on being one of the best defenders in college basketball. He’s just better on the offensive end,” Sutton said.

“He and Terrel (Harris) are probably the two most improved players on the team. Marcus played very well tonight; Terrel didn’t play like he’s been playing. I don’t think (Terrel), Byron and Obi played nearly as well as they’re capable.”

Sutton said the Cowboys will spend the weekend making adjustments prior to Tuesday night’s final exhibition game against East Central University of Ada, Okla. OSU then opens the regular season Friday, Nov. 9, against Prairie View A&M in Stillwater.

“Our execution in the half-court has got to get better, where we wait on screens and set better screens,” the Cowboy head coach said. “We did not reverse the ball from side to side like I would like us to. I expected them to forget some things being the first time out there, but we need to get set up in our press. But that’s why you play these games so you can go back and look at the film … I think we’ll be better Tuesday night.

“We can’t have 19 turnovers. That was one of the things that was disappointing to turn the ball over like we did tonight. But that’s correctable and that’s coachable, and free-throw shooting is coachable, but I liked the effort and I liked the attitude out there.”

Even an innocent bystander noticed how much harder the Cowboys played Friday night as compared to a year ago.

“David Hall came by, and I think he’s one of the best officials in the country, and he said, ‘Man, these guys are playing hard for it to be so early.’ He said, ‘I think they’re playing harder than you guys did at any time last year with that team.’ So I took that as a compliment,” Sutton said.