NORMAN, Okla. — There were no looks of desolation or despondency. Not even really frustration or anger. The Iowa State men’s basketball team left the Lloyd Noble Center knowing it missed a major opportunity, but also secure in the knowledge of how much it took to even get them to the precipice.
The Cyclones couldn’t make enough plays late while undefeated and No. 3 Oklahoma did when it counted most in an 87-83 Sooners win to open Big 12 play with yet another beautifully played matchup between these two programs.
ISU (11-2, 0-1 Big 12) led for the majority of the game, but ceded control to Oklahoma (12-0, 1-0) with 4 minutes, 45 seconds left and were never regained the advantage, despite a number of opportunities to do so in the game’s final moments.