Bryce Thompson Leads Oklahoma State to 85-83 NIT Win

DALLAS — Bryce Thompson’s impressive performance, scoring 24 points, played a crucial role in Oklahoma State’s narrow 85-83 triumph over SMU in the NIT’s second round on Sunday.

The fourth-seeded Cowboys, now holding an 18-17 record, advance from the Dallas Region to prepare for a quarterfinal matchup against either second-seeded North Texas or the third-seeded Arkansas State.

Thompson, demonstrating sharp shooting skills, successfully hit 11 of his 18 attempts from the field, though he encountered some challenges from the free-throw line, only managing 2 of 5. Complementing Thompson’s efforts, Abou Ousmane contributed with 18 points, five rebounds, and four blocks, while Brandon Newman made an impact from beyond the arc by scoring 12 points on 4-for-7 three-point shooting.

On the Mustangs’ side, leading scorer Kario Oquendo put up a remarkable 31 points for the top-seeded team, which ended its season at 24-11. Chuck Harris provided a solid performance with 17 points and 10 assists, while Samet Yigitoglu added 12 points, nine rebounds, and two steals.

In the closely contested battle, Oklahoma State was trailing 41-40 at halftime. However, Ousmane’s strong second half, which included 11 points, proved pivotal. His crucial jumper at the 33-second mark sealed the lead for Oklahoma State, ensuring their place in the next round.