Anthony Roy’s Offensive Explosion Leads Oklahoma State to Big 12 Tournament Upset

Oklahoma State guard Anthony Roy put the college basketball world on notice on Tuesday night, scoring 24 points to lead the 14th-seeded Cowboys to a stunning 92-83 upset over 11th-seeded Colorado. In a game that saw the Pokes fighting for their postseason lives, Roy was the difference-maker, especially in the second half where he scored 17 of his 24 points. His ability to hit difficult shots and draw fouls in the paint allowed Oklahoma State to pull away from a resilient Buffaloes squad and advance to the second round of the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City.

Roy’s takeover began early in the second half after the Cowboys entered the break with a slim 41-40 lead. He scored six of the team's first seven points out of the locker room, including a tough and-1 layup that ignited the Oklahoma State bench. A prolific scorer who previously led the nation in points per game while at Green Bay, Roy showed no signs of the ankle injury that ended his previous season. His veteran poise and scoring instincts have become the cornerstone of Steve Lutz's offensive system in Stillwater, and Tuesday’s performance was his most impactful since joining the program.

The Cowboys' victory was a masterclass in exploiting the free-throw line and dominating the glass. Oklahoma State outscored Colorado 29-9 at the charity stripe, a staggering margin that neutralized the Buffaloes' superior three-point shooting. Senior forward Christian Coleman was an absolute force in the paint, recording a double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds. The Pokes outrebounded Colorado 44-34 and dominated second-chance points 17-8. This physical style of play proved to be too much for the Buffaloes to handle as the game wore on into the final minutes.

For Colorado (17-15), the loss is likely the final blow to their NCAA Tournament hopes. Despite 22 points from Bangot Dak and a strong effort from Barrington Hargress, the Buffaloes could not find an answer for Roy's perimeter threat or Coleman's interior presence. Every time Colorado attempted to close the gap in the second half, either Roy or Jaylen Curry (15 points) would respond with a timely bucket to keep the Buffs at arm's length. The game remained tight until Vyctorius Miller knocked down five consecutive free throws with six minutes remaining, pushing the lead to double digits.

Oklahoma State (19-13) now moves on to face 6th-seeded TCU on Wednesday night. The Cowboys' NCAA Tournament resume remains a work in progress, but a win of this magnitude on a neutral floor certainly helps their case. With Roy playing at an elite level and the frontcourt controlling the boards, the Pokes are showing they can be a dangerous out in March. Coach Lutz will undoubtedly look to Roy to provide the same offensive spark as they continue their quest for a deep tournament run and a ticket to the Big Dance.