STILLWATER, Okla. – The Western Michigan men's basketball team pushed Oklahoma State to the brink on Friday night and nearly pulled off the upset in a 70-63 loss inside Gallagher-Iba Arena.

Neither team led by more than eight for the entirety of the game resulting in five lead changes and seven ties. Late in the second half, senior Jared Printy knocked down his only three-pointer of the night to tie the game at 61-61 with 2:28 to play.

That was the final field goal WMU made as the Brown & Gold were held scoreless from the field the field the final 2:28 while Oklahoma State made five of their last six field goals to secure the victory.

Western Michigan outshot Oklahoma State on Friday night, recording a 40.4 percent field goal percentage to OSU's, 37.5 percent. From distance, WMU connected on nine three-pointers to OSU's seven but made just eight free-throws compared to OSU's 15.

Oklahoma State controlled the glass, outrebounding WMU 45-36 including a 17-8 advantage on the offensive glass. OSU also dominated the paint scoring 34 points to WMU's 18. The Broncos scored 23 points off the bench, marking the fifth game this season recording 20 or more points off the bench.

The Broncos had three players score in double figures with junior guard Michael Flowers leading the way with 15 points on 4-of-10 shooting from the field. Flowers also had a team-high four three-pointers to go along with four rebounds, one assist and one steal.

For the second straight game junior Rafael Cruz Jr. provided valuable points off the bench, registering 12 points to go along with nine rebounds and four assists. Cruz Jr. was 4-of-11 from the field while a perfect 3-for-3 from the free-throw line

In 29 minutes of action, redshirt sophomore Jason Whitens recorded his third career game in double figures with 11 points. The Powers, Mich., native also corralled five rebounds and knocked down two three-pointers.

With the loss Western Michigan drops its overall record to 4-2 with both losses coming against Power Five opponents on the road. WMU has a quick turnaround as the
Broncos travel to Orlando, Fla. for two games in two days at the NIT Season Tip-off. WMU squares off with 2018 NCAA Tournament participant Yale on Monday, Nov. 25 before playing either Bucknell or Seattle the following day.

The Broncos got off to a fast start in Stillwater as redshirt junior Brandon Johnson hit the first shot of the game followed by a three-pointer from Flowers to give WMU an early 5-0 advantage. The Cowboys responded back with a 7-0 run to gain its first lead of the contest after forcing WMU to commit three turnovers in the next three minutes of play.

Near the midway point of the first half the Broncos regained the lead after a three-pointer from freshman B. Artis White before Oklahoma State embarked on a 7-0 run to hold a 22-18 lead with 9:07 remaining in the first half.

Near the end of the first half, Cruz Jr. provided a spark off the bench, scoring four straight points to cut the WMU deficit down to four with 1:46 remaining. To end the half, Flowers drilled a deep three-pointer from the right wing to cut Oklahoma State's lead down to one heading into the locker room.

The Cowboys got off to a fast start to begin the second half, embarking on an 8-0 run through the first five minutes of play to grab a 43-39 lead. However, the OSU offense went cold, missing five straight field goals as the Brown & Gold clawed its way back to tie the game at 45-45 after a free-throw from Whitens.

The two teams traded baskets midway through the second half the Cowboy offense caught fire going on a 7-0 run to reclaim a 52-45 lead. Cruz Jr. guided the Broncos back to within one with seven minutes remaining after scoring five straight points highlighted by a steal and fast break lay-up.

Oklahoma State held a four-point lead with 4:55 remaining before Flowers converted a four-point play to tie the game once again at 56-56. After OSU made three straight field goals, senior Jared Printy caught fire off the bench, scoring five straight points including a three-pointer with 2:28 to tie the game.

The Cowboys offense found their offensive rhythm late in the game making five of their final six field goals and four straight free-throws attempts to escape with a 70-63 victory.