GAME NOTES: The Oklahoma State Cowboys will finish off a season-opening four- game homestand on Friday night when they host the Milwaukee Panthers in a non- conference battle at Gallagher-Iba Arena.

This is the second road test of the season for Milwaukee, which started the campaign off with a trip to Auburn, which ended in an 83-73 loss. The Panthers followed that up with back-to-back home games, winning one against Minnesota- Crookston (75-54), and losing the other to IUPUI (70-68). They will play in Las Vegas against Louisiana on Monday as part of the MGM Grand Main Event.

Oklahoma State hasn't had to leave Stillwater yet this season and it has the record to prove it, with three wins in as many opportunities. The Cowboys routed Northwestern Oklahoma State by a score of 91-45 last time out, following victories over Southeastern Louisiana (83-55) and Prairie View A&M (74-52). Their next test is also part of the MGM Grand Main Event, as they will battle Oregon State on Monday,

This bout marks the first-ever meeting between these two schools in men's basketball.

Milwaukee had a chance to at least force overtime in the final seconds against IUPUI, but Steve McWhorter turned the ball over on the Panthers' final possession, sealing their fate. Milwaukee only connected on 42.4 percent of its total shots, while allowing the Jaguars to connect on just under 50 percent of their's.

McWhorter and J.R. Lyle were the top scorers in the loss to IUPUI, with each player finishing with 19 points. Lyle did so on 6-of-12 shooting, while McWhorter had more chances, sinking 7-of-17 attempts. J.J. Panoske netted 10 points to go with seven rebounds, and Akeem Springs logged nine rebounds and seven points. McWhorter has been the most consistent scorer here in the early going, averaging 14 points and five rebounds per contest. He also has made 45.5 percent of his 3-point attempts. Lyle (12.7 ppg) and Springs (11.7 ppg) are averaging in double figures as well.

Northwestern Oklahoma State is a Division II school. Oklahoma State took full advantage of the drop in competition, sprinting to a 46-point victory by shooting 55.6 percent from the floor, while holding the Rangers to just 14 field goals. The Cowboys benefited from a staggering 60-25 advantage on the glass as well, although they did turn the ball over 20 times.

Phil Forte (17.3 ppg, 4.3 apg) and Le'Bryan Nash (17.7 ppg, 8.3 rpg) form a solid inside-outside duo for the Cowboys. They are the only two players on the team averaging in double figures, while Anthony Allen Jr. (5.7 ppg, 10 rpg) has been a monster on the glass. The rest of the roster helped in scoring against Northwestern Oklahoma State, with Jeffrey Carroll (15 points, 11 rebounds) and Jeff Newberry (14 points) adding double-digit scoring efforts to the performances of Forte (18 points) and Nash (16 points, 12 rebounds).

Oklahoma State is clearly comfortable at home and with two stars like Nash and Forte to lean on there is no questioning why. Expect the duo to power the Cowboys to another comfortable victory.