OVIEDO, Fla. (Interstat) — In a game defined by relentless offense and a refusal to yield, the Oklahoma State Cowboys outlasted the UCF Knights 111-104 in overtime on Tuesday night in a Big 12 Conference men’s basketball clash that defied pregame expectations.

The contest, played before a crowd of 8,011 at CFE Arena, saw the Cowboys overcome a 14-point second-half deficit and survive a furious UCF rally that forced the extra period. The combined 215 points shattered the over/under line of 169, a testament to an evening where defensive stops were rare and crucial.

The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the final minute of regulation. Trailing 94-91 with under 30 seconds to play, Oklahoma State’s Christian Coleman was fouled and made both free throws to cut the deficit to one. UCF’s Themus Fulks then hit two free throws of his own with 37 seconds left, pushing the Knights’ lead back to three.

On the ensuing possession, Oklahoma State’s Anthony Roy saw a potential game-tying jump shot blocked by UCF’s 7-foot-2 center John Bol. The Knights secured the rebound, and Chris Johnson was fouled. He made one of two free throws, giving UCF a 97-93 lead with 17 seconds remaining.

Needing a quick score, Oklahoma State’s Kanye Clary was fouled on a 3-point attempt with 11 seconds on the clock. He calmly sank all three free throws, pulling the Cowboys within a single point at 97-96. UCF’s Fulks was immediately fouled and made both free throws, making it 99-96 with 10 seconds left.

With no timeouts, Oklahoma State raced up the floor. Isaiah Coleman received a pass from Christian Coleman and finished a dunk with 5 seconds remaining, cutting the lead to 99-98. The Cowboys then intentionally fouled Fulks again. He made the first free throw but missed the second, leaving the door open at 100-98.

Oklahoma State secured the rebound and called a timeout with 4 seconds left. On the inbounds play, the ball found its way to Clary, who drove and was fouled by UCF’s Riley Kugel on a 3-point attempt with just one-tenth of a second remaining. Clary, with the game on the line, stepped to the line and sank the first two free throws to tie the game. His third attempt missed, sending the game to overtime tied at 100.

The Cowboys carried that momentum into the extra period, opening with a 7-0 run and never relinquishing the lead. UCF, visibly drained by the comeback, managed only four points in the final five minutes.

Anthony Roy led all scorers with 27 points for Oklahoma State, while Kanye Clary added 23, including the clutch free throws to force overtime. Jaylen Curry and Christian Coleman each contributed 16 points. For UCF, Themus Fulks scored 22 points and dished out six assists. Riley Kugel added 18 points, and John Bol was a force inside with 14 points and three blocks.

The statistical sheet reflected the frenetic pace. Oklahoma State shot 48.6% from the field and was aggressive in getting to the free-throw line, making 32 of 40 attempts. UCF shot 45.7% and made 33 of 45 free throws. Both teams struggled from beyond the arc, with the Cowboys hitting 9 of 23 and the Knights 7 of 22. Turnovers were nearly even, with Oklahoma State committing 10 and UCF nine.

The victory improved Oklahoma State to 18-12 overall, while UCF fell to 20-9. The game was a significant upset according to pregame metrics, as UCF was not only a 9-point favorite but also held an 81.4% probability to win according to Interstat’s ELO system.

The Cowboys, who had lost four of their last five games entering the contest, showed resilience in snapping a two-game road losing streak. UCF, which had won three of its last four, saw its home-court advantage evaporate in the face of Oklahoma State’s persistent offensive pressure and poise at the foul line in the game’s decisive moments. The Knights’ inability to secure a defensive rebound or make critical free throws in the final seconds of regulation ultimately paved the way for the Cowboys’ overtime triumph.