Oklahoma State beats Georgetown 97-70 for third in Maui

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Oklahoma State coach Brad Underwood motioned his team over for an early timeout, slammed his clipboard to the hardwood and began screaming.

The Cowboys were lethargic, seemingly uninterested in playing defense.

Once Underwood lit into them and replaced four starters, the Cowboys couldn't be stopped.

Jeffrey Carroll had 20 points and Oklahoma State racked up 19 steals in a 97-70 win over Georgetown on Wednesday in the third-place game of the Maui Invitational.

"We didn't guard anybody. We didn't do anything we talked about. We were flat emotionally," Underwood said. "There was just no energy. And the one thing I know I'm going to get from my bench is energy."

Oklahoma State (5-1) bounced back from a 32-point demolishing by No. 4 North Carolina in the semifinals by revving up its pressure defense — after Underwood's outburst.

With Jawun Evans as the only starter left, the Cowboys harassed the Hoyas into one mistake after another and raced off to the other end for easy baskets.

Oklahoma State forced 28 turnovers and converted those into 41 points. Thanks to Underwood's lineup change, the Cowboys had a 59-16 advantage in bench points and rode out of Maui with a resounding victory.

Evans had 13 points and Brandon Averette 12 for Oklahoma State.

"For the most part, very, very pleased," Underwood said. "We're getting better defensively. We're still making too many silly fouls, but we'll clean that up."

Georgetown (2-4) lost to No. 16 Wisconsin in the semifinals because of rebounding and to Oklahoma State due to turnovers.

The Hoyas shot 51 percent, but the problem was the shots they couldn't get up from the multitude of turnovers that had coach John Thompson III shaking his fists in anger at times on the sideline.

Rodney Pryor led the Hoyas with 15 points and Bradley Hayes added 13.

"We did not do a good job of protecting the ball," Thompson said. "We did not do a good job of keeping our dribble, maintaining our dribble. Once you pick it up, you're dead."

Oklahoma State's press was at its best in a tournament-opening win over UConn, but did little good in a 107-75 loss to North Carolina in the semifinals.

The Hoyas struggled with the Cowboys' pressure in the third-place game, leading to turnovers and breakouts in transition that came in bunches.

Cameron McGriff had one of the best dunks of the tournament with a tomahawk-and-foul over Pryor, and Carroll had another backboard shaker with a two-handed putback slam.

Oklahoma State forced 14 turnovers in the first half — 11 on steals — that led to 18 points and a 50-35 lead after Thomas Dziagwa's buzzer-beating 3-pointer.

The second half was more UConn turnovers, more points in transition for Oklahoma State.

Evans had one steal in UConn's end early in the half, fed the ball to Forte and ran back without looking as his backcourt mate drained a 3-pointer in transition.

"This is not me making excuses, but we had some guys out there that were in that situation for the first time, the first time, either a freshman, or it was their first time with us," Thompson said. "And so it's a learning experience for them."

BIG PICTURE

Connecticut: Had a solid opening win over No. 13 Oregon in Maui, but consecutive lopsided losses show there's still plenty of work to do.

Oklahoma State: Played two solid games sandwiched around a what-can-you-do loss to one of the best teams in the nation. A solid trip to Maui.

UP NEXT

Georgetown: Hosts Howard on Sunday.

Oklahoma State: Hosts Rogers State on Nov. 30.