Strong homecoming for OSU’s Cobbins

Michael Cobbins just needed a slice of home to turn in one of the best games of his career.

The Oklahoma State sophomore forward, who graduated from Palo Duro up the road in Amarillo, recorded his first career double-double (13 points, 12 rebounds) in his team’s 91-67 win against Texas Tech.

After the game Oklahoma State coach Travis Ford said Cobbins has been the team’s most valuable player this season, despite the notoriety garnered by guards Marcus Smart, Markel Brown and Le’Bryan Nash.

“Michael Cobbins is really playing big-time basketball for us,” Ford said.

Cobbins said it was fun to play in front of a number of family and friends.

“There are always coming out to this game,” he said. “Credit to my teammates for finding me in open places.”

Logjam at the top

Oklahoma State’s win against Texas Tech on Wednesday created a three-way tie atop the Big 12 Conference standings.

The Cowboys, along with Kansas and Kansas State are 8-3 in league play, with Oklahoma one game back at 7-4. (Baylor entered Wednesday’s game against West Virginia at 6-4, but the game hadn’t ended by press time.)

“It’s a blessing to come out here and be tied for first,” said Oklahoma State guard Markel Brown, who scored all of his game-high 25 points in the first half Wednesday. “We were picked to finish third in this league, and now we’re fighting at the top to win the Big 12. We’ve just got to take the games one at a time. We’ve got OU Saturday. It’s going to be a good game.”

Oklahoma won the first Bedlam game of the season, and there is certainly plenty at stake in the rematch, with both schools trying to keep up in the league race.

“Obviously we’ve got a very tough one coming up,” Oklahoma State coach Travis Ford said, “but when you’re over halfway through the league and you find yourself near the top, that’s what you want to give yourself a chance. Better just take them one at a time and try to play your best and give yourself a chance.”

Free throws

The 91 points Texas Tech surrendered on Wednesday night were the third-most it has given up to Oklahoma State in 53 meetings between the schools. OSU leads the series, 39-14, and has won six straight. ... The 67 points Tech scored were its most in regulation in a Big 12 game since March 2, 2011. ... Tech freshman guard Josh Gray has notched double-digit scoring in 12 of his first 22 career games.

Compiled by Nick Kosmider