In a thrilling matchup on Wednesday night, Oklahoma State emerged victorious against Tarleton State with a final score of 66-61. Marchelus Avery was a key contributor off the bench, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds for the Cowboys.

Alongside Avery, Jamyron Keller and Bryce Thompson also made notable contributions, each adding 10 points to the team’s total. On the opposing side, Tarleton State’s Keitenn Bristow led the charge with 17 points, while teammate Marty Silvera added 16 points.

The game tightened in the closing minutes when Silvera connected on a jump shot, narrowing Oklahoma State’s lead to 64-61 with just half a minute left. However, Oklahoma State’s Arturo Dean had a critical turnover on the team’s next possession, marking their 18th turnover of the evening.

With the game in a precarious position, Tarleton State utilized a timeout to strategize. In the final seconds, Bubu Benjamin attempted a crucial 3-pointer that missed its mark, allowing Oklahoma State’s Bryce Benjamin to grab the rebound. He quickly passed to Avery, who was fouled by Izzy Myles with only four seconds remaining. Avery clinched the win by converting both of his free throw attempts.

Despite the win, Oklahoma State (7-3) has struggled with excessive turnovers, committing 16 or more for three straight games. Conversely, Tarleton State (3-10) came into the game with a rough patch, having lost six out of their last eight, but they put forth a strong effort against the Cowboys.

The first half saw Tarleton State take control momentarily, as Bristow sank a 3-pointer, propelling the Texans to a 27-17 lead with just over five minutes left in the half. Following his shot, Benjamin added a jumper to extend their lead to its maximum at 31-25 going into the locker room.

As the second half kicked off, Avery initiated scoring by making 1 of 2 free throws to snap a 44-44 deadlock, setting the stage for Oklahoma State to maintain the lead for the remainder of the game.

Looking ahead, Tarleton State will be hosting Howard Payne, an NCAA Division III team, on Saturday. Meanwhile, Oklahoma State is set to face Oral Roberts on Sunday.