Berry Tramel: A night to remember

Blow the top off like that night 10 years ago, when OSU got back in the basketball business with a rousing victory over Missouri in the first game after the plane crash.

But the Texas Longhorns would have none of it. The roof stayed on.

The 'Horns were gracious visitors Wednesday night, wearing OSU Remember the 10 shirts, bright orange, as warmups, but that's as far as UT was willing to go.

Texas routed the Cowboys 61-46, sending home a crowd that honored the 10 victims of the 2001 plane crash by packing Gallagher-Iba, again like the old days.

But the Cowboys never gave this crowd a chance to detonate.

OSU made just 18 of 56 shots. Made just one 3-pointer in 11 tries. Scored just 19 points the final 22 minutes and 40 seconds.

“Very emotional night,” said State coach Travis Ford. “Great night to honor and celebrate people who loved and honored this university.

“I'm disappointed we didn't play better for our fans.”

The festivities were hallowed. The announcement that OSU basketball would retire the No. 10 and hang it from the rafters .

The speeches by Sutton, Mason, Gottlieb and Andre Williams — nice touch by Gottlieb, urging the fans to fill Gallagher-Iba for every game, just like the old days.

But this night, just like that night against Mizzou 10 years ago, needed a victory topper.

“Let's win!” some fan yelled after the halftime ceremonies. It was not to be.

Not with this Texas defense, led by point guard Dogus Balbay, called by Ford the best player on the court.

Not with this seventh-ranked Longhorn squad that now within a span of 100 hours has won by double digits in two holy hoops halls, Allen Fieldhouse and Gallagher-Iba.