Cowboy comeback comes up short in NIT Quarterfinal

Tuesday, March 25

Stillwater

8:00 PM

Oklahoma State University

17-18,7-13Big 12

North Texas

27-8,14-4AAC

North Texas

Oklahoma St.

March 25, 2025 | Cowboy Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Postgame Notes (PDF)

STILLWATER -- Oklahoma State's comeback bid came up short in an 61-59 NIT Quarterfinal loss to North Texas.

Bryce Thompson and Brandon Newman scored 17 points apiece to lead the Cowboys (17-18), who cut a nine-point deficit down to a pair over the final 71 seconds but missed a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer.

Atin Wright scored 15 points for North Texas (27-8), which defeated OSU in the NIT's round-of-eight for the second time in three years.

UNT came in ranked third nationally in scoring defense, limiting opponents to 59.9 points per game.

OSU made 41.8% of its shots, including 54.2% after halftime, compared to UNT's 37.7%. The difference came at the foul line, where OSU made just 9-of-16 (.563) to UNT's 14-of-21.

The Cowboys forged ahead 44-43 on Newman's three-pointer with 6:47 to go.

Wright answered for UNT with a four-point play, which set off a 9-0 counter, and the Mean Green led the rest of the way.

The visitors were up 61-52 with 1:11 remaining when the Cowboys mounted one last charge, helped by their full court press.

Newman converted a three-point play, and Thompson's steal set up an Arturo Dean layup. Newman forced another quick steal in the back court that eventually led to a Thompson jumper, cutting the deficit to 61-59 with 41 seconds left.

UNT ran the shot clock down to zero and the game clock to 8 seconds on its next possession before missing a long jumper. OSU grabbed the rebound and called timeout with 0.7 seconds left after UNT shut down Dean's drive the basket.

Out of the timeout, Newman got a clean three-point look from the right wing, but it missed the mark.