STILLWATER, Okla. — Bryce Thompson delivered a standout performance, netting 22 points as Oklahoma State secured a victory over Green Bay with a final score of 89-76 on Monday night.

This matchup marked the beginning of the season for both teams and showcased the inaugural game for Steve Lutz as the Cowboys’ head coach. He faced off against Doug Gottlieb, who was also starting his tenure with Green Bay. Gottlieb, a former OSU player who graduated in 2000, holds records for the most assists in a single game, season, and career at the university.

The Cowboys entered halftime with a narrow lead of 39-38. However, they dominated the second half, scoring an impressive 50 points in the first 18 minutes. Thompson played a pivotal role during this period, contributing 13 points, notably going 3-for-3 from beyond the arc.

Oklahoma State showcased superior rebounding skills, outpacing the Phoenix 26-13 in the second half and capitalizing on turnovers to score 15 points. Other contributors for the Cowboys included Abou Ousmane, who scored 16 points, along with Davonte Davis and Marchelus Avery, each adding 10 points to the total.

For the Phoenix, Anthony Roy stood out with 27 points, while Marcus Hall contributed 21 points to the effort. Foster Wonders also added 10 points to the scoreline.

Lutz, who joined the Cowboys after successfully rebuilding programs at both Western Kentucky and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, has already made a mark in college basketball. He has led teams to the NCAA tournament in each of his initial three seasons as a head coach, boasting an impressive record of 69 wins against 35 losses.

This contest set the stage for an exciting season ahead as both teams aim to establish their identities and pursue success.