GAME NOTES: The surging Nebraska Cornhuskers invade Stillwater this afternoon for a Big 12 Conference clash with the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Nebraska has won its last three games, including a 63-45 decision over Oklahoma on Wednesday. The Cornhuskers are now a solid 17-9 overall and have improved their once lowly Big 12 mark to 6-7 as the regular season winds down. On a negative note, Nebraska has lost six of the eight true road games it has played this season. Meanwhile, Oklahoma State is 12-2 at home, and the team has won its last four games overall to move to 15-12, including 6-7 in the Big 12 standings. On Tuesday, the Cowboys managed to get past Missouri on the road by a 75-73 final. Nebraska owns a 62-50 advantage in the all-time series with Oklahoma State.

There is only one double-digit scorer in the Nebraska lineup, as Aleks Maric is netting 15.9 ppg on 56.7 percent shooting from the field to go along with 9.9 rpg and 45 blocks. The Cornhuskers are not an explosive offensive team, a statement that is backed up by their average of 67.7 ppg. Fortunately, they have thrived at the defensive end of the floor, limiting foes to 59.7 ppg on 39.7 percent field goal efficiency. In Wednesday's win over Oklahoma, Nebraska earned a 33-25 rebounding advantage and limited the Sooners to 37 percent shooting from the floor. The Cornhuskers connected on 50 percent of their own field goal attempts and turned the ball over only eight times. Steve Harley posted 17 points, and Maric contributed 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Oklahoma State is generating 69.6 ppg while allowing 66.4 ppg to the opposition, and the Cowboys are shooting and surrendering the exact same percentage (.435) from the field. The top offensive performer for the club is James Anderson, who is netting 14.1 ppg. Byron Eaton checks in with 11.4 ppg, and Terrel Harris adds 10.6 ppg to the mix. Balanced scoring was key for Oklahoma State in the narrow victory over Missouri earlier this week, as the club got 15 points apiece from Eaton, Harris and Marcus Dove. James Anderson scored 13 points, and Dove pulled down 10 rebounds. A 14-of-24 effort from the foul line was clearly the key to victory for Oklahoma State.

Expect a close game from start to finish this evening and give a narrow edge to Oklahoma State. The Cowboys have the advantage of playing at home and showed a great deal of heart in the road win over Missouri on Tuesday.