STILLWATER, Okla. (Interstat) — In a back-and-forth nonconference men’s basketball game decided at the free-throw line, Oklahoma State outlasted Davidson 84-80 on Tuesday night at Gallagher-Iba Arena.

The Cowboys, who entered as 8.5-point favorites, secured the victory by making 21 of 30 free throws, including several critical ones in the final minute. Davidson, by contrast, attempted only seven free throws, making five. The Wildcats’ reliance on the three-point shot — they launched 40, making 15 — could not overcome Oklahoma State’s more efficient scoring and advantage at the line.

Davidson, which fell to 20-14, controlled much of the first half behind hot perimeter shooting. The Wildcats built a 50-40 halftime lead, fueled by 22 points from reserve guard Roberts Blums. The sophomore from Riga, Latvia, was incendiary off the bench, hitting six three-pointers before halftime and finishing with a game-high 22 points in just 22 minutes.

Oklahoma State, also moving to 20-14, methodically chipped away at the deficit in the second half. The Cowboys improved their defensive pressure and began attacking the basket, drawing fouls and converting at the stripe. A key sequence came with just over a minute remaining and Oklahoma State leading 79-77. Davidson’s Roberts Blums stole the ball and was fouled on a three-point attempt, sinking all three free throws to give the Wildcats an 80-79 lead with 20 seconds left.

The lead was short-lived. On the ensuing possession, Oklahoma State’s Kanye Clary drove and was fouled by Nick Coval with seven seconds remaining. Clary, who led the Cowboys with 20 points, calmly sank both free throws to put the home team back ahead 81-80. Davidson’s final chance to win or tie ended when Blums’ heavily contested three-point attempt from the wing missed in the final seconds. Oklahoma State’s Christian Coleman secured the defensive rebound, was fouled, and made one of two free throws to extend the lead to 82-80. After a Davidson timeout, an inbounds pass was deflected and Clary was fouled again, making two more free throws with 0.7 seconds left to seal the four-point victory.

The most important part of the game was the final 20 seconds, a frantic exchange defined by free throws and a crucial defensive stop. After Blums’ three free throws gave Davidson its first lead since early in the second half, Oklahoma State immediately responded by putting the ball in the hands of Clary. His aggressive drive drew the critical foul, and his composure at the line under pressure restored the Cowboys’ lead. Davidson, without a timeout to advance the ball, saw its last-gasp three-point attempt from its hottest shooter miss, and Oklahoma State closed it out from the line.

Beyond Blums’ outburst, Parker Friedrichsen, a native of Bixby, Oklahoma, scored 16 points for Davidson. Josh Scovens added 10 points and five assists. For Oklahoma State, Benjamin Ahmed provided a strong interior presence with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Christian Coleman filled the stat sheet with 15 points, nine rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal. Daniel Guetta added 11 points off the bench.

The game was a contrast in styles. Davidson played at a faster pace, using 73 possessions to Oklahoma State’s 74, but the Cowboys were far more efficient, shooting 50% from the field (28 of 56) compared to the Wildcats’ 42.9% (30 of 70). Oklahoma State also dominated the glass, outrebounding Davidson 41-30, which included a 13-6 edge in second-chance points.

The contest, played before a crowd of 1,581, saw both teams enter with identical records and both looking to build momentum. Oklahoma State’s ability to withstand Davidson’s first-half shooting barrage and grind out a win at the foul line proved decisive.