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Instant Recap: Michigan’s Incredible 3-Point Barrage Sinks Cowboys

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That’s March Madness.

Oklahoma State fell in a heartbreaker to the red-hot Michigan Wolverines in Indianapolis, 92-91. Oklahoma State and Michigan both lit it up on the offensive end, as expected from the number 1 and number 6 ranked offenses in the country, according to KenPom. It was easily the most entertaining offensive game of the tournament so far.

Oklahoma State shot 54.7 percent on the day, and Michigan shot 51.8 percent from the field in the barn-burner. John Beilein’s Wolverines went full Golden State Warriors in the second half, hitting 11-of-15 from downtown. On the day, they hit 16 of 29 threes. It was the most three-pointers a team has made in the NCAA Tournament in 6 years.

Derrick Walton Jr. (24 points, 6-of-9 from the three), Muhammad Abdur-Rahkman (16 points), and Zack Irvin (4-of-6 from beyond the arc) lead the avalanche for Michigan offensively. Forward D.J. Wilson was big as well, with 17 points and 5 rebounds.

From the Cowboys’ side, Jeffrey Carroll (19 points and 5 rebounds) and Jawun Evans (23 points, 12 assists, 7 assists) were enormous, as usual. Phil Forte had 12 points and Leyton Hammonds had 10 points and 7 rebounds in their final college games, and Davon Dillard also poured in 12 off the bench, playing near his home.

Oklahoma State out-rebounded Michigan 40-21 on the glass, outshot Michigan 54.7%-51.8% from the field, but the Wolverines were able to overcome those discrepancies by hitting 16 threes and winning the turnover battle, 10-4.

Oklahoma State largely had their way with the Wolverines on the offensive end, but the story of the game was Michigan’s excellence from 3, with 16 long bombs on the day. Both team’s couldn’t be stopped on the offensive side of the ball. Derrick Walton Jr. and Jawun Evans were superstars at the point guard position on the biggest stage, trading blows back and forth. At the end of the day, Michigan’s hot shooting was one point too many for the Cowboys to overcome. A late Jawun Evans three-pointer cut the lead to 92-91 as time expired.

Oklahoma State finishes the year 20-13 (9-9 in the Big 12), in what was an undoubtedly successful first season under Brad Underwood, despite the bitter finish of four close losses. This is only the start of many March classics in the Underwood era in Stillwater.

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