STILLWATER, Okla. — Just two days after posting it’s first top five ranking in nine years, the Missouri Tigers lost their second game of the season Wednesday night. The tigers suffered a 79-72 setback at Oklahoma State, now 10-10 on the season and 3-4 in the Big 12.
Led by freshman swingman Le’Bryan Nash who scored a career high 27 points, the Cowboys turned a one point halftime lead into the biggest win of the season for head coach Travis Ford. Nash, a McDonald’s All-American, scored 13 points during a 17-4 stretch late in the first half when Oklahoma State took the lead for good.
Consecutive 3-pointers from Nash helped build a six point lead that Missouri (18-2, 5-2) could never fully overcome. Missouri was led by senior forward Ricardo Ratliffe who was named Big 12 player of the Week this week, and scored 25 points against the Cowboys. Missouri’s largest lead of the game was eight points at 53-45 with 14:22 left to play, but Oklahoma State never wilted.
It was Oklahoma State’s biggest win since taking down top ranked Kansas in 2010. Oklahoma State shot 62 percent from the field in the second half. Missouri next plays at home on Saturday hosting Texas Tech.