Oklahoma State Routs Houston Baptist

Oklahoma State wasn’t about to lose two in a row at home.

Playing at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla., for the first time since they were upset by Florida Atlantic, the No. 18 Cowboys demolished Houston Baptist, 114-62, Tuesday night.

Adrian Peterson, who scored 27 points, said Oklahoma State wanted to reestablish its home dominance after the 83-81 loss to Florida Atlantic on Dec. 1. That loss snapped the Cowboys’ 80-game, nonconference home winning streak.

“It’s always in the back of my mind, but coach puts it in the front, every time we play a home game,” Peterson said.

Desmond Mason also scored 27 points for Oklahoma State (6-2), which raced to a 27-3 lead, built a 67-36 halftime margin and stretched its advantage to 95-45 with 8:30 left. The Cowboys’ biggest lead was 111-54 in the final minutes.

Glendon Alexander, playing only his second game since becoming eligible after transferring from Arkansas, had 19 points for Oklahoma State.

Houston Baptist (8-4), ranked 16th in the National Assn. of Intercollegiate Athletics poll, made only one field goal in the first seven minutes. The Huskies missed 11 of their first 12 shots, and Oklahoma State made 11 of its first 18 shots.

No. 19 Auburn 79, Wofford 51--The Tigers had an off night and won by 28 points at Auburn, Ala.

“We were a half-step slower tonight,” said Auburn Coach Cliff Ellis, whose team is ranked in the Top 20 for the first time in 10 years. “We came out and played a little lethargic and to the level of our competition. Sometimes you’re going to have games like that.”

But Auburn (10-0), which is off to its best start in 40 years, had no problems against Wofford (3-5).

Auburn shot only 41% from the field, including five for 20 from three-point range, but outrebounded the Terriers, 52-30. The Tigers had more offensive rebounds (23) than Wofford had on the defensive side (21).

Chris Porter led Auburn with 14 points despite playing only four minutes in the first half after picking up two fouls.

Auburn didn’t need junior college transfer Adrian Person, who became eligible to play Tuesday but didn’t suit up. Person is the nephew of NBA players Chuck and Wesley Person.

No. 23 Wisconsin 65, Texas 62--Sean Mason scored 21 points and the Badgers (10-1) overcame a dismal start to beat the Longhorns (2-6) at Austin, Texas.

Wisconsin is ranked for the first time since Dec. 26, 1994, although that season the Badgers finished 13-14. It also is the first time Wisconsin Coach Dick Bennett has had a ranked team in 14 years as a head coach in Division I.