Cunningham paves way for Cowboys

Oklahoma State guard Cade Cunningham (2) and Oklahoma guard De'Vion Harmon (11) reach for a loose ball during an NCAA college basketball game Monday, March 1, 2021, in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Brody Schmidt)
Oklahoma State guard Cade Cunningham (2) and Oklahoma guard De'Vion Harmon (11) reach for a loose ball during an NCAA college basketball game Monday, March 1, 2021, in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Brody Schmidt)

STILLWATER, Okla. -- Cade Cunningham scored 13 of his 15 points in the final 10 minutes to help No. 17 Oklahoma State defeat No. 16 Oklahoma 79-75 on Monday night, completing a sweep of two games in three days against the rival Sooners.

Cunningham, a freshman who leads the Big 12 in scoring, had 40 points in Saturday's 94-90 overtime victory. This time, the 6-foot-8 guard was a decoy much of the night but finished strong in his final home game. He was introduced with the seniors and is projected by many to be the top pick in this year's NBA Draft.

Kalib Boone had 17 points and nine rebounds, and Bryce Williams scored 14 for the Cowboys (17-6, 10-6 Big 12), who won their fifth consecutive game overall and earned their third consecutive victory over a ranked opponent.

Brady Manek had 20 points and Austin Reaves (Center Ridge) added 19 for Oklahoma (14-8, 9-7), which lost its third straight after climbing to No. 7 in the AP Top 25.

Manek hit 3 three-pointers to help Oklahoma take a 23-16 lead. Oklahoma State rallied, and Rondel Walker's three finally put Oklahoma State ahead 32-30.

Oklahoma led 36-35 at halftime behind Manek's 16 points. Cunningham had two points, no field goals and just two shot attempts in the first half.

Reaves got hot in the second half. He threw down a nasty two-handed dunk in traffic to put the Sooners up 61-57.

Cunningham's first field goal was a layup with just over seven minutes remaining. He made another layup 30 seconds later, then the Cowboys worked the ball around to Williams, whose three-pointer put them up 66-64.

Oklahoma State led by five in the final minute before Reaves scored on an offensive rebound and was fouled. His free throw with 7 seconds left cut Oklahoma State's lead to 77-75.

Cunningham was fouled with 6.3 seconds to play, and he made both to put the game out of reach.

Oklahoma State guards Cade Cunningham (2) and Keylan Boone (20) attempt to block a shot by Oklahoma guard De'Vion Harmon (11) during an NCAA college basketball game Monday, March 1, 2021, in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Brody Schmidt)
Oklahoma State guards Cade Cunningham (2) and Keylan Boone (20) attempt to block a shot by Oklahoma guard De'Vion Harmon (11) during an NCAA college basketball game Monday, March 1, 2021, in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Brody Schmidt)
Oklahoma guard Elijah Harkless (24) passes the ball while under pressure from Oklahoma State guard Rondel Walker (5) during an NCAA college basketball game Monday, March 1, 2021, in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Brody Schmidt)
Oklahoma guard Elijah Harkless (24) passes the ball while under pressure from Oklahoma State guard Rondel Walker (5) during an NCAA college basketball game Monday, March 1, 2021, in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Brody Schmidt)
Oklahoma State guard Bryce Williams (14) shoots at the basket during an NCAA college basketball game against Oklahoma, Monday, March 1, 2021, in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Brody Schmidt)
Oklahoma State guard Bryce Williams (14) shoots at the basket during an NCAA college basketball game against Oklahoma, Monday, March 1, 2021, in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Brody Schmidt)
Oklahoma guard Alondes Williams (15), left, watches as Oklahoma State guard Bryce Williams (14) takes a shot at the basket during an NCAA college basketball game Monday, March 1, 2021, in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Brody Schmidt)
Oklahoma guard Alondes Williams (15), left, watches as Oklahoma State guard Bryce Williams (14) takes a shot at the basket during an NCAA college basketball game Monday, March 1, 2021, in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Brody Schmidt)

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